The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) says it is confident today's match between Ireland and England at Croke Park will be a trouble-free occasion. Conor Lallyand Ronan McGreevyreport.
Gardaí plan to maintain a heavy but discreet presence in the environs of the stadium involving the deployment of hundreds of members of the force's public order unit.
Republican Sinn Féin expects about a hundred protesters to gather at the junction of Summerhill Parade and North Circular Road two hours before the game, but insists that the demonstration will be peaceful.
IRFU president Philip Browne said Ireland and England had been playing each other for more than a century without any trouble in the past.
"We've been playing England for 130-odd years in terms of rugby and we've always had excellent relations with England and we look forward to playing England as we do for any other rugby team," he said.
"As far as we're concerned, we've done all the planning that's necessary. There's no reason why it won't go perfectly fine."
Gardaí, however, have made extensive preparations to ensure the event is not hijacked by troublemakers such as those who took part in disturbances on O'Connell Street during the Love Ulster march last February.
Over 300 members of the public order unit have undergone refresher training at Gormanston barracks, Co Meath, in recent weeks.
Sources said while such training is not unusual ahead of major policing operations, the deployment of such numbers for a sporting occasion is not a regular occurrence.
Gardaí are anxious that any potential for trouble would not be triggered by perceived heavy handed policing on their part. Members of the public order unit will be taken in a fleet of Garda vans to secluded side streets around the stadium and to yards near the ground. They will be told to wait in these locations until the game has finished and the crowds have dispersed.
The Garda helicopter will be deployed overhead and will monitor traffic congestion and potential disturbances.
Republican Sinn Féin said it had no plans to contact the Garda to discuss its protest. The Garda has said anybody intending to protest should contact Fitzgibbon Street Garda station to agree arrangements with them.
Republican Sinn Féin president Ruairí Ó Brádaigh said his party had a right to protest without seeking the permission of the Garda. "It's just a normal picket format so there is no great mystery involved. It is in the public domain."
The protest is against the flying of the Union Jack or the playing of God Save the Queenat Croke Park.