Ireland Under-20s Search For Host Venue

Can your club host the Grand Slam? The IRFU is seeking proposals from clubs interested in being the host venue for the Ireland Under-20 team as they defend their Six Nations championship title in 2008.

The Irish Under-20 Team (sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers) won the Grand Slam in 2007, representing an historic first for Irish rugby. This success has created a strong individual brand around this important age grade team in Irish rugby, and the following and support it has generated over the past few years has been very successful.

The Ireland U-20s will be playing three home matches in the 2008 U-20 Six Nations tournament against Italy (February 1), Scotland (February 22) and Wales (March 7).

The IRFU would like to invite proposals from clubs who are interested in hosting these matches. The club must be able to demonstrate the ability to promote and market these games locally and in conjunction with the IRFU, be able generate a crowd to ensure an appropriate atmosphere and to present a ‘piece of sporting theatre’ for television audiences and match goers.

In addition, clubs must be able to run theses matches to the highest standard and befitting the status and importance of these fixtures, the hosting club must have facilities to include:

* A quality playing surface and dressing rooms

* Quality spectator and public amenities

* Television compliant floodlighting and flash interview positions

* Pre and post match function/hospitality facilities

If you feel that your club has the drive and ambition to successfully deliver on the above, the IRFU would like to hear from you.

Please make your expression of interest known to IRFU Rugby Administrator Gordon Black at gordon.black@irfu.ie or by post to IRFU, 62 Lansdowne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. The closing date for expressions of interest is June 30th 2007.