On hand to celebrate another milestone in the development of the Aviva Stadium were IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne, who is also chairman of the stadium company, FAI Chief Executive John Delaney and Stuart Purdy, the Chief Executive of Hibernian Aviva.

The Aviva Stadium, which is on schedule for completion in April 2010 , as achieved a number of milestones in recent weeks. These have included:

- The completion of the roof steel. Work on the cladding of the roof will continue for a number of months
- The installation of the first seats
- The start of work on the pitch

Commenting on this encouraging progress, Stadium Director Martin Murphy confirmed that the Lansdowne Road ground is on schedule for handover in April 2010.

"Our intention is to officially open the stadium in May 2010. The first matches are scheduled for next August when Munster/Connacht will play Leinster/Ulster in rugby and there will be the soccer international between the Republic of Ireland and Argentina."

Related Links -

Photo Gallery: First Seats At Aviva Stadium

First Game For Aviva Stadium Confirmed