Ireland play France at the Aviva Stadium on 14 February. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

THE IRFU HAS warned rugby fans to avoid buying tickets from unofficial sellers after a number for the sold-out Six Nations match against France were left unaccounted for.

2014 champions Ireland open this year’s campaign away to Italy in Rome on Saturday afternoon before hosting the French at the Aviva Stadium a week later.

According to the IRFU, 144 tickets for the first home game of 2015 were “lost in transit” and the matter is currently being investigated by An Post.

“The Irish Rugby Football Union advises fans seeking tickets for the sold out Ireland -France match on the 14 February not to buy tickets from unofficial sellers after 144 tickets destined for Irish clubs were lost in transit,” reads the short statement.

The Union will now cancel and re-issue the tickets to clubs and advised that any person arriving at the AVIVA with a cancelled ticket will not gain entry to the stadium.”

For a list of the seats affected, visit the IRFU’s website

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