Connacht supporters gather for IRFU protest

Last-minute preparations are under way for this afternoon's demonstration organised by Friends of Connacht Rugby in protest at…

Last-minute preparations are under way for this afternoon's demonstration organised by Friends of Connacht Rugby in protest at IRFU proposals to disband the province as a professional entity.

Despite the postponement of a specially convened IRFU committee meeting to discuss Connacht's future, today's meeting goes ahead as planned with organisers hoping up to 1,000 people will march from Baggot Street to IRFU headquarters on Lansdowne Road.

A scheduled CIÉ train carrying 300 protesters, including many from the Connacht squad, has arrived in Dublin with many more expected to make their way from Connacht independently for the demonstration.

Several hundred are expected to assemble outside Searsons pub on Upper Baggot Street at 3.30 p.m. before marching to 62 Lansdowne Road where they hope to hand a letter of protest and petitions to IRFU chief executive Philip Browne.

READ MORE

A demonstration and rally will then take place at Lansdowne Rugby Club where the crowd will be addressed by some keynote speakers who have lent their support to the campaign.