IRFU have urged fans to arrive early at Aviva Stadium in Dublin ahead of Ireland’s Six Nations opener against England on Saturday.
Simon Easterby is set to lead the men in green for their Six Nations opener with Andy Farrell forced to take a sabbatical ahead of the 2025 Lions Tour of Australia.
Communications Director Aoife Clarke has detailed a new enhanced match day experience in place for Ireland’s opener.
The IRFU have hired ‘maniac’ DJ Mark McCabe for pre-match entertainment as they hope to build the atmosphere prior to the game getting underway.
They will also show live coverage of Scotland vs France from 2:15pm on the Aviva Stadium‘s big screens ahead of the 4:45pm kick-off in the Irish capital.
The news comes after the union conducted ‘match day experience’ surveys with some fans during the Autumn Nations Series games.
She recalled: “We’ve listened closely to our fans and made some changes to enhance the overall experience.
The IRFU want fans inside the Dublin 4 venue prior to kick-off as they want to create an unbelievable atmosphere for the clash against Ireland’s oldest rivals.
Clark added: “We want our fans to create an electric atmosphere from the moment they walk through the gates,” she added.
“The energy in the stadium will be a driving force for the team – and by arriving early – our supporters will help set the tone for what’s sure to be a fantastic day.”
The IRFU employee also requested for fans only to move from their seat in breaks of play to avoid distractions for fans and players.
She concluded: “We ask all of our supporters to show respect for one another and be considerate of their fellow fans.
“Movement during live play can cause disruptions, so please ensure you take your seats and move around only during breaks.”
The gates at the Aviva Stadium open at 2.45pm, two hours ahead of the 4:45pm kick-off in Dublin.
