All-Irish affair to open Aviva
The new Lansdowne Road, renamed the Aviva Stadium, will host its first on August 7 next year, with a historical exhibition encounter between a combined Leinster/Ulster team and a Munster/Connacht XV.
The construction of the new stadium is on track to finish in April next year, and the clash between the composite Irish regions will be the first bit of competitive action on the pitch before the Springboks meet the Irish a few months later.
The match hold special significance at Lansdowne Road, as Leinster and Ulster were the first representative sides to play at the old stadium almost 133 years ago, on December 16, 1876.
They were also there for the final match before the re-development in a Magners League match dubbed ‘The Last Stand’ on New Year’s Eve, 2006, which Leinster won 20-12.
“Coming on the back of the announcement that World Champions South Africa will be the first international opposition to play here, this promises to be a great occasion to open the Aviva Stadium to the Irish Rugby public,” said IRFU chief executive Philip Browne.
“It was felt that a combined provinces fixture would be the most appropriate way to do this, providing a look back into the history of the game while also creating a new chapter for Irish rugby.”
