Arabic version: الاتحاد الإيرلندي يستبعد خطط إقامة مباراة في بطولة الأمم الست في الولايات المتحدة

According to BBC News, the Irish Rugby Football Union says there are “currently no plans or discussions” over Ireland playing a Six Nations match in the United States.

World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said this week that the organisation would help any nation seeking to move a Six Nations fixture to the US as rugby attempts to expand in the market. He cited an Ireland v Italy match as an example that could appeal to Irish and Italian expatriate supporters.

The IRFU said the United States was an important growth market and welcomed initiatives that introduce rugby to new audiences and generate revenue. However, it said the ability for fans in Ireland and Italy to watch their teams at home remains central to the Six Nations’ appeal.

Italy’s rugby federation also said there were no current discussions with other stakeholders about staging a Six Nations test in the US. Italy played Ireland in Chicago in 2018, while Ireland have previously met New Zealand twice in the United States.

Ireland beat the All Blacks for the first time before a capacity crowd of 60,000 at Chicago’s Soldier Field in 2016. Their 2025 rematch, which Ireland lost, was also described as a commercial success.