Ireland’s rebuilt national stadium will open in August next year with a special invitational fixture between the country’s four professional provinces.
The newly named Aviva Stadium has been built on the site of the old Landsdowne Road.
The opening fixture is scheduled to take place on Saturday August 7, with a combined Leinster and Ulster side taking on a Munster and Connacht amalgamation.
The move marks a change from both the first and last matches to take place at Landsdowne Road, when Leinster and Ulster faced each other on both occasions.
The first of those occasions was in December 1876, while the last was on New Years Eve three years ago when Leinster triumphed 20-12 in a Magners League clash.
The first international fixture to take place at the new Aviva Stadium will be between Ireland and the Springboks on November 6, 2010.
Ireland will then host Samoa, New Zealand and Argentina on successive weekends at their new home having been based at Croke Park since 2007.
"Coming on the back of the announcement that World Champions South Africa will be the first international opposition to play here, the game in August promises to be a great occasion to open the Aviva Stadium to the Irish Rugby public,” said IRFU chief executive Philip Browne.
"It was felt that a combined provinces fixture would be the most appropriate way to do this providing a look back into the history of the game while also creating a new chapter for Irish Rugby."
Provisional fixtures for the new Aviva Stadium
Connacht/Munster vs Leinster/Ulster
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Ireland vs South Africa
Saturday, November 6th
Ireland vs Samoa
November 13/14
Ireland vs New Zealand
November 20/21
Ireland vs Argentina
November 27/28
