Ireland announce new fixture as Andy Farrell gets another chance to assess World Cup squad

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Ireland XV.

Ireland’s fringe players will get another opportunity to push their case ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup after a new Ireland XV fixture was announced.

The RFU announced on Thursday that Ireland XV will face England A at Sandy Park in Exeter on Saturday, February 20, 2027, with kick-off at 7pm.

The fixture will take place during the Six Nations and, interestingly, on the same day Andy Farrell’s senior Ireland side face Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Ireland’s Six Nations clash kicks off at 2.10pm, meaning players outside Farrell’s matchday squad could potentially be involved against England A later that evening.

The game will provide another opportunity for players on the fringes of the Ireland squad to impress just months out from the Rugby World Cup in Australia.

It will be the third meeting between Ireland XV and England A since the latter was re-established in 2024.

England A won 28-12 when the sides met in Bristol in 2025 before recording a convincing 52-14 victory at Thomond Park earlier this year.

That Ireland XV side included several players with senior international experience, including Ciarán Frawley, Max Deegan, James Hume and Shane Daly, alongside a number of emerging prospects.

Bryn Ward and Sean Janseon also featured in that defeat before subsequently going on to win senior international honours.

With the 2027 World Cup beginning in October, the fixture gives Farrell and the Irish coaching staff another chance to assess the depth available to them during the final international season before the tournament.

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