Ireland's international obligations begin in earnest on November 14th when they undertake the process of qualifying for next year's World Cup. Georgia visit Lansdowne Road to provide the opposition in the opening encounter.
The national side should face an altogether tougher prospect in taking on Romania the following Saturday, again at Lansdowne Road. The two visiting sides meet, at Headquarters, on the intervening Wednesday. The winners of the three-team group will obviously face an `easier' draw in the World Cup proper in the autumn of next year.
The runners-up also qualify automatically with the side finishing last going into a convoluted play-off process, thereby still enjoying an opportunity to play in the finals.
Irish coach Warren Gatland's charges complete a busy three-week period with an opportunity to avenge their 2-0 test series defeat against South Africa during the summer. The world champions play three matches on the Irish leg of their Northern Hemisphere tour, against the Combined Provinces in Musgrave Park on November 24th, Ireland at Lansdowne Road the following Saturday and Ireland A at Ravenhill on December 1st.
The rugby season, which begins on August 8th, offers an international flavour at provincial level as well. Morocco will play all four Irish provinces on a two-week sojourn in Ireland. The inter provincial championship, which will be played on a home-and-away basis, begins on Friday August 14th when Leinster host Ulster at Donnybrook and Connacht take on Munster in Galway.
Each province will also benefit from a fixture against as yet unspecified Scottish district sides. Dates have been allocated for the European Cup and European Conference despite the fact that the draw has yet to be made for either competition.
The clubs must bide their time, until December 5th to be precise, to begin hostilities in the AIB League. Defending champions Shannon will hope to extend their remarkable dominance. Having won Division One for the past four seasons, they will once again be the team to beat. They open their campaign with a testing trip to Eaton Park where they will take on a Ballymena team that flattered to deceive last year.
The opening day also offers a clash between Connacht's finest, Galwegians and Buccaneers, both enjoying debuts in Divison One. The traditionally competitive clash between Young Munster and St Mary's College should ensure a bumper crowd at Tom Clifford. Division Two is not due to finish until April 17th while the provincial cup semi-finals are down for May 15th with the respective finals probably played the following weekend.
