World Rugby has officially announced that the upcoming Tier 3 matches of the newly established WXV competition will be held in Dubai this November. Ireland is set to face off against Fiji, Kazakhstan, Kenya, and the winner of the play-off between Brazil and Colombia, which is scheduled to take place next month as part of the tournament.
The renowned Sevens Stadium, renowned for its capacity to accommodate 44,000 spectators, has been chosen as the host venue. This stadium annually hosts the Dubai leg of the World Sevens Series, making it a fitting location for the upcoming matches.
Dubai has been confirmed as the host for the @WorldRugby WXV3 tournament later this year.
More: https://t.co/MwDvnXOX5q pic.twitter.com/TRQVCrN0RD
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 23, 2023
Although Ireland had initially aspired to participate in Tier 1 or Tier 2 of the competition, their performance in the Six Nations resulted in their placement in the lowest tier.
The identity of the team’s coach for the tournament is still unknown, as John McKee is currently serving as interim coach following the departure of head coach Greg McWilliams.
While the team did not partake in any summer internationals in 2023, players based in Ireland will have an opportunity to showcase their skills in the Interprovincial Championships scheduled for August and September. Subsequently, the All Ireland League will commence in September, providing further chances for players to make an impact.