GOD Save the Queen will be played before the international championship match between Ireland and England at Lansdowne Road next Saturday. This will be the first occasion, certainly in the modern era, for the anthem to be played on such an occasion.
The policy and custom for at least the past 60 years has been to play only the anthem of the home side before internationals at Lansdowne Road.
The IRFU has changed the policy this season. The anthems of visiting teams were played this season before Ireland's home matches against Western Samoa, Australia, Italy and France. That practice will continue on Saturday against England.
Confirming that the British anthem will be played, Mr Martin Murphy, administrative officer of the IRFU, said yesterday: "We decided prior to the internationals this season that, as a courtesy to all visiting countries, their national anthems would be played prior to our home matches.
"This has happened at the four home internationals we have played this season and that same courtesy will be extended to the England team next Saturday.