THE IRFU HAVE confirmed that an Ireland ‘A’ side will play England ‘A’ during next year’s Six Nations window.
The game will be played as Bristol’s Ashton Gate Stadium on Sunday, 23 February with a 1pm kick-off, the day after Ireland play Wales in round three of the 2025 Six Nations.
The IRFU say the fixture has been arranged with an aim to “providing more young players within the system with exposure to high-level game time in a green jersey.”
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has pushed for more Ireland ‘A’ games during his time in charge, with Ireland ‘A’ playing the Maori All Blacks and an All Blacks XV in 2022. The IRFU also sent an Emerging Ireland squad to South Africa in 2022, with Emerging Ireland heading back to South Africa again next month.
Ireland ‘A’ last played England in 2015 – then named Ireland Wolfhounds and England Saxons – with the visitors winning 18-9 at Musgrave Park.
IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys, said: “We’re delighted to add this Ireland ‘A’ fixture to next season’s schedule, once again providing a broader pool of players with further exposure to the National Team environment.
“Access to meaningful and consistent game time for our emerging players is a key focus and this match will come off the back of our Emerging Ireland Tour to South Africa this Autumn and a busy November schedule for our Men’s Senior team.”
Tickets are on sale from England Rugby now, and are available here.
Would be crazy if he gets it. Zero head coach experience and part of the failed management group in recent years, even though it was Rowntree who paid the price. Seems to be more of the jobs for the boys culture we’ve always seen with Munster.
@Aidan Farrell: i dont want him to get the job because he’s really good in his current role. Dont know what you’re talking about with this as an example of ‘jobs for the boys’. He was recruited after demonstrating effectiveness for racing and Munster’s attack was transformed in a season from where it was under Larkham.
@Aidan Farrell: Failed? Lol. Didn’t he win a trophy more recently than Leinster? It’s very disappointing that I had to explain that to u :(
@Aidan Farrell: Few bad games Aidan, there’s a trophy in there too… be patient, I’m sure we can turn that frown upside-down
@Aidan Farrell: BS, how much head coach experience did cullen have before leinster? Heck how much did rowntree have before munster, little to none and he got us a trophy.
@Cian Halley: I think he’s a bit traumatized by the job for the boy Cullen and the 0/3 since the Saffies joined the URC
@Michael Corkery: I have a funny feeling you might be right
@Cian Halley: for all Leo’s faults – and by God there are many – the man is still a European Cup winning coach and domestic league champion.
@Aidan Farrell: so let me get this straight, prendergast can’t coach munster because he’s from munster?, but it’s OK for cullen to coach leinster with even less experience at coaching in general than prendergast? Just because he’s from leinster? Make this make sense please.
@Aidan Farrell: He’s only a figurehead!
@Cian Halley: not what I’m saying at all, Ciano pal.
@Aidan Farrell: won URC and next year top of the league and lost in semi final to eventual winners? Much better than any other Irish province do you not agree?
@Aidan Farrell: the same failed management that won a trophy more recently than our vaunted wealthy neighbours??!!!
@Aidan Farrell: Hey Ray…How much head coach experience did Andy Farrell have before he took over Ireland….none…how much head coach experience did Joe Schmidt have before Leinster…none. How much head coach experience did ROG have before LAR…none….again fact make a fool out of you lol
@Aidan Farrell: my god, you talk some rope.
@anthony davoren: thanks for that you saved me from saying it . Joe was always the assistant prior to the Leinster job .. but sure hey guys who think like Aidan are really the Neil Francis’ of the rugby world
@Aidan Farrell: The current head coaches at some stage were not head coaches before they were appointed to the first head coach position. To get an existing head coach to manage any rugby team, let alone Munster, is going to cost a lot of dough. It’s cheaper to appoint one without that tag.
Hope he gets it, be a busy field given the approach tho!
@Thesaltyurchin: agrée. He has had enough of an impact as attack coach to deserve a go as head coach looking after all areas of the team. I’d like to see a DOR though so that he could concentrate 100% on the coaching though
@Michael Corkery: Interested to see who will go for it, wonder will they reel any whales in! Sticking to the process, ultimately gives them time and keeps everyone on the path.
@Michael Corkery: Ian Costello is the DOR in all but name
@5sZl1dX2: yes, he is currently in a caretaker capacity but it might be a roll that suits both long term. We could do a lot worse.
See if it holds, no better application than a decent rest of season.
@Thesaltyurchin: He seems like the sort of guy who has it in him. It has often worked out to go with a head coach without experience so there’s no reason why it won’t work out. But if he is the man for the job, just give it to him already. The same uncertainty surrounded Rowntree’s appointment and it almost felt like “ah sure I suppose give it to Graham” in the end. If they are holding out for Felix or Lancaster then put him out of his misery. Why string him along? I would be p**sed if it was me.
@Paul Ennis: Dunno I think they’re right to take their time as it’s mid season and a messy one, but both points are true I think. He’s definitely a leader (I’m a little bias, same school).
@Thesaltyurchin: Have heard it might be an alternative to Prendergast.
Has a bang of Rowntree of this. Rowntree nearly pulled his name out of the hat it took that long to back him. If they feel he’s good enough then don’t search and just back him, or else it looks like Eileen Gleeson or keeping Ten Hag.
@James Murphy: My thoughts entirely. Don’t mess with the guy and give him some respect. Either give him the job or tell him he’s not in the running.
At tu Brute?
Rowntree was right all along , a coup
IRFU should go all out to get ROG. Pay him well and give him a good budget for players . He will rally the whole province
No shit Sherlock