Ireland to play Italy in Ravenhill

Fence

The IRFU have announced that Ireland will return to Belfast for their match against Italy next year. Over 53 years since a full Ireland team played in Ravenhill, should make the Ulster boys happy.

Jilm

The IRFU have announced that Ireland will return to Belfast for their match against Italy next year.

We're playing Italy away in 2007, so that would be the 2008 6N fixture.

We had better start practicising our "God save the Queen"

<EDIT> It is scheduled for August 2007 (not 2008 6N as I'd assumed).

daveirl

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zAbbo

Good stuff, makes it handier for me to attend, i'm between belfast and dublin, but its handier to get somewhere to stay in belfast

RuggieBear

Jilm wrote:

We're playing Italy away in 2007, so that would be the 2008 6N fixture.

We had better start practicising our "God save the Queen"

I'm pretty sure it is a world cup warm up match and not a proper 6 nations game

Jilm

RuggieBear wrote:

I'm pretty sure it is a world cup warm up match and not a proper 6 nations game

Couldn't find much info on it ...I assumed it was a 6N game. It's scheduled for August 2007 according to UlsterRugby.com forum.

RuggieBear

Jilm wrote:

Couldn't find much info on it ...I assumed it was a 6N game. It's scheduled for August 2007 according to UlsterRugby.com forum.

yep then it is definitely a world cup warm up game. I believe we play scotland too in August.

Sangre

daveirl wrote:

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I doubt it, I think there is more than enough people not getting tickets who always wanted them to fill the new space.

toomevara

Sangre wrote:

I doubt it, I think there is more than enough people not getting tickets who always wanted them to fill the new space.

Yeah, i'd second that...unless of course the extra capacity just sees a higher proportion of tickets frittered away to the corporate/promotion sector...plus there are a huge number of people who want to be there for that match given its historic nature....so while I think it will be a real scramble,it'll be primarily among rugby fans. I know a lot of the English boys are really keen to get to this one too.....

An Tarbh

Well not according to my mate's dad who is an avid GAA head and seems to think that GAA heads will get their hands on the majority of tickets. Normally this fella doesn't seem to talk ****e but in this case I'd be shocked if he's right about this one.

As for the match in Ravenhill isn't it a choice between there and Thomond for the Italian match? So not definite yet. Should be Ravers though since Thomond had the Italian match before the last RWC.

The Long Fellow

Cant be in Thomond because its expected to be in development at that stage.

I certainly did read somewhere that when the national team is playing in the 26 counties then the Soldiers song is played, but when one is played in the 6 counties then GSTQ is played along with Irelands call. I guess they were bankin on the fact that they would never have to play a game in Ulster!!

I hope they don't weaken at the knees and decide just to play Ireland's call! i think it'll be real interesting to see them stand for the Queen, funny if nothing else.

daveirl

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mikedragon32

Why would they be standing for GSTQ? It's not the anthem of Ireland or the Irish rugby team.

Protocol would dictate that only Ireland's Call will be sung for the Irish team.

RuggieBear

mikedragon32 wrote:

Why would they be standing for GSTQ? It's not the anthem of Ireland or the Irish rugby team.

Protocol would dictate that only Ireland's Call will be sung for the Irish team.

Protocol dictates that the home national anthem is sung...in this case God save the queen and then Irelands Call.

Amazotheamazing

God Save the Queen will be played, and I hope it gets the respect that our Northern Irish supporters give Amhrain na Fiann in Lansdowne road, ie utmost.

Goodluck2me

GSTQ being played in front of a crowd of irish supporters in any other sport would absolutely reak havoc, but i dont know hwy but i think rugby is different, same as how the crowds are segregated.

Goodluck2me

Amazotheamazing wrote:

God Save the Queen will be played, and I hope it gets the respect that our Northern Irish supporters give Amhrain na Fiann in Lansdowne road, ie utmost.

also david humphreys recieved death threats after singin Amhrain na Fiann in Lansdowne so dont expect any of the team to be sinign along to God save the Queen

Amazotheamazing

goodluck2me wrote:

also david humphreys recieved death threats after singin Amhrain na Fiann in Lansdowne so dont expect any of the team to be sinign along to God save the Queen

Pretty sure thats bull****, Ulster players never sing Amhrain na Fiann and I doubt Humphries is any different, indeed one used to rip the shamrocks off his jersey (can't reember which one, saw him on the late late years ago). I should point out tht I don't expect the Southern players to sing GSTQ.