Overview
- The IRFU announced on Wednesday that Ireland XV will play Fiji 'A' at Virgin Media Park in Cork on 20 November, face Chile at Queen’s University Belfast on 12 February, and meet England 'A' at Sandy Park, Exeter on 20 February.
- Ulster attack coach Mark Sexton will lead the Ireland XV programme with assistants Jimmy Duffy, Jared Payne and Seamus Toomey overseeing the three fixtures.
- The Cork date will be a double-header with an uncapped Ireland U20s v Scotland match at 5pm followed by Ireland XV v Fiji 'A' at 7.45pm, and the IRFU says broadcast and ticket details will be confirmed shortly.
- IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys described the programme as part of the player development pathway to bridge provincial rugby and the senior squad and to build greater depth across the player pool.
- By staging 'A' and U20 fixtures during the Six Nations window the IRFU creates match-based assessment opportunities when senior squads are engaged, giving fringe players game time that could influence future selection decisions.