Wolfhounds To Play Saxons At The Sportsground
Connacht Rugby is delighted to confirm that the Sportsground will host the international fixture between the O2 Ireland Wolfhounds and England Saxons. The match will take place at the Sportsground on Friday, January 25, 2013 (kick-off 7.35pm).
The fixture, which allows Ireland head coach Declan Kidney take a closer look at players prior to the RBS Nations opener against Wales, has previously been played in Ulster’s Ravenhill Stadium or in Dublin, so securing the match is another step in the right direction for rugby in the western province.
In the build-up to the Six Nations campaign and with no other professional rugby games taking place in Ireland on the same weekend, the game should prove to be a massive draw for supporters and media alike.
Connacht Rugby Head of Commercial & Marketing, Alex Saul, is delighted with the fixture, saying: “While Connacht Rugby is undergoing a dramatic period of change both on and off the pitch, we are working hard with the IRFU to develop rugby’s profile throughout the province.
“This is a significant step further along that journey. The match provides rugby fans along the west coast the opportunity to watch quality rugby in the period between the Heineken Cup and Six Nations, whilst also providing an economic boost to Galway city in January.“
Tickets for the highly-anticipated clash will go on sale this Friday (November 30) and start at €;20 for adults, while it is just €;5 for children under 18 years of age.
Connacht Rugby is offering their Season Ticket holders a 50% discount on adult tickets.
The O2 Ireland Wolfhounds will be looking to avenge last season’s loss at Sandy Park when tries from David Kearney, Tomas O’Leary and Simon Zebo were not enough to prevent them from slipping to a 23-17 defeat by their English rivals.
It was a reversal of the result at Ravenhill twelve months before that when the Ireland Wolfhounds carved out a 20-11 win over the Saxons.
Last year’s side boasted a blend of youth and experience and following the recent GUINNESS Series, there are a number of young players across the four provinces who are certain to be raising their hands for selection.
Five Connacht players featured in last season’s line-up under the guidance of head coach Eric Elwood. Gavin Duffy was named at full-back, while Brett Wilkinson, Mike McCarthy and John Muldoon performed up front. Prop Ronan Loughney was introduced in the second half.
O2 Ireland Wolfhounds v England Saxons
The Sportsground
Friday, January 25, 2013
Kick-off: 7.35pm
Tickets go on sale this Friday (November 30) and are available from www.ticketmaster.ie and the Connacht Rugby Branch.