Ireland to tour the land of the Rising Sun in June 2005

Ireland have announced they are to tour Japan in June 2005 in a tour that seems set to provide opportunity for some of Ireland’s ‘rising sons’.

Ireland have announced they are to tour Japan in June 2005, playing two tests and a warm-up fixture.

The tests will take place in Tokyo on June 12th and 19th against a side they have never lost to in their three previous test matches.

Ireland have beaten Japan in two World Cups – 32-16 in Lansdowne Road in 1991 and 50-28 in Bloemfontein in 1995 – as well as a 78-9 win in a friendly in Lansdowne Road in 2000.

With a number of senior players likely to be touring with the British and Irish Lions, this tour seems sure to represent an opportunity for some of Ireland’s ‘rising sons’.