As expected, Argentina will provide the opposition when the Republic of Ireland play their first match at the redeveloped Lansdowne Road next year. Assuming he is still in charge, Diego Maradona will bring the South Americans to Dublin on August 11th of next year.

The 50,000 all-seater venue, which has been renamed the Aviva Stadium, will officially open for business a week earlier with the IRFU yet to announce details of the rugby match they intend to stage.

The stadium has already been booked for the 2011 Uefa Cup final – or the Europa Cup as it is now known – while the IRFU also hope to stage a Heineken Cup final in Dublin 4 that May.

Confirming Argentina as Ireland’s first opponents at the ground, John Delaney said: “I am very happy to have reached this agreement with Argentina, who will be fitting opponents to mark an opening international match of such significance.”