Metallica throw a spanner in the works

August's international friendly between the Republic of Ireland and Australia has been brought forward to avoid a clash with …

August's international friendly between the Republic of Ireland and Australia has been brought forward to avoid a clash with a Metallica concert.

The game had originally been scheduled for Wednesday, August 20th at Lansdowne Road but with a major gig by the American rockers due to take place at the nearby RDS on the same evening, the FAI took the decision to move the match forward by 24 hours.

The friendly had been organised in advance of September's make-or-break Euro 2004 qualifier at home to Russia.