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Minister confirms some fans to return for Ireland's summer tests

Minister for Sport Jack Chambers says the trialling of fans' return to stadiums will continue wit...



Minister for Sport Jack Chambers says the trialling of fans' return to stadiums will continue with Ireland's summer tests.

Andy Farrell's team welcome Japan to the Aviva Stadium on July 3, with the United States at the Lansdowne Road venue seven days' later.

On Friday, the government announced a series of pilot events for fans' return across the month of June.

They'll begin with 1,200 supporters returning to the RDS for the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup clash of Leinster and the Dragons.

The IRFU has welcomed the news, saying, "We have been part of the Working Group on return of fans to Stadia Chaired by Martin Murphy since 2020 and we will now move to our operational plans, based on the proposals submitted by the Working Party to Government and any additional guidance they have provided.

"We will make an announcement on ticket distribution as soon as possible and we very much look forward to welcoming supporters back safely to the Aviva Stadium."

Capacities for the Japan and United States tests have not been specified.

Meanwhile, the LGFA has also welcomed the easing of restrictions.

They say the Lidl National League Division 1 and 2 Finals will form the basis of a Government-approved test event for spectators at Croke Park on Saturday, June 26.

Six days earlier, 3,000 fans will be inside Croke Park for the Littlewoods Ireland National Camogie League final.

Minister Chambers tweeted on Friday evening, "These pilots will help to evaluate & review progress to advance additional events and capacity from early July & August including GAA, Camogie and LGFA championship matches, League of Ireland games, Women’s National League games, and many other sports events across the system.

He added, "We will also see the return to competition, start of the return of indoor individual sport including gyms from June 7th and the return of group swimming lessons. Indoor will increase to pods of 6 from July 5th."

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Mount Juliet (July 1-4) will also form part of their testing schedule, as will the meeting of Roscommon and Galway in the Connacht Football Championship.

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Connacht Football Championship Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Galway Ireland Irish Open Jack Chambers Japan Lgfa Mount Juliet Roscommon Rugby