Rugby World Cup: Three of Ireland's four pool matches in this year's Rugby World Cup, including the meeting with host nation France, will have nighttime kick-offs the International Rugby Board (IRB) confirmed today.
And while the midday temperatures in September may not be as oppressive as during the height of summer, coach Eddie O'Sullivan will have no complaints about playing in the relative cool of the evening.
O'Sullivan's side, tipped on current form to offer the most serious threat to overwhelming favourites New Zealand, open their campaign against Namibia in Bordeaux on Sunday, September 9th at 8pm local time.
Ireland then face Georgia, again in Bordeaux, the following Saturday at 9pm before moving to Paris and the Stade de France where they will face France at 9pm on Friday, September 21st.
The final Pool D match sees the Six Nations favourties take on perennial World Cup rivals Argentina in the Parc des Princes with an earlier 5pm kick-off.
The seventh Rugby World Cup gets underway on September 7th with Argentina taking on the hosts at the Stade de France with the final, after 48 matches, taking place at the same venue on October 20th.
