Rugby:Contrary to reports the composite provincial rugby match between Leinster/Ulster and Munster/Connacht will mark the opening of the new Aviva Stadium on Saturday, July 31st this year as opposed to August 7th.
Leinster and Ulster were the first representative teams to play at the old Lansdowne Road nearly 133 years ago on December 16th, 1876. Both provinces were also on hand to play the final game, 'The Last Stand', at the stadium on New Year's Eve 2006, when Leinster beat Ulster 20-12 in the Magners League.
The game at the end of July will form part of the provincial pre-season calendar and present Irish rugby stakeholders with the opportunity to be the first to witness rugby returning home to the iconic Aviva Stadium.
"This promises to be a great occasion to open the Aviva Stadium to the Irish rugby public,” said Philip Browne, IRFU chief executive.
"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."
The new stadium will host the autumn internationals in November with the visit of South Africa on November 6th. Ireland will also take on Samoa, New Zealand and Argentina during November.
The international rugby fixture list was completed yesterday with the announcement that France will be the first Six Nations game at the venue (February 13th, 2011) and Ireland will host England in a final day clash on March 20th.
The first soccer match is due to take place on August 11th when Giovanni Trapattoni’s side take on Argentina.
Aviva Stadium Rugby Fixtures 2010/2011
(some dates and kick-off times to be confirmed)
Connacht/Munster v Leinster/Ulster
Saturday, July 31
Autumn Series
Ireland v South Africa
Saturday, November 6
Ireland v Samoa
November 13/14
Ireland v New Zealand
November 20/21
Ireland v Argentina
November 27/28
Six Nations 2011
Ireland v France
February 13th 2011, 3:00pm
Ireland v England
Saturday March 20th 2011, 5:00pm