Open it out.

Ireland was handed a massive boost today with the government announcing plans to fast track a number of restrictions including sport.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that the reopening of a number of places have now moved into Phase 3 of easing Covid-19 restrictions, with gyms, cinemas, churches and places of worship to open their doors on 29 June.

This also includes leisure facilities, hairdressers, barbers and beauticians.

Sport will also be able to resume on the 29th of June across the Republic with mass gathering of 50 indoors and 200 outdoors also to be allowed from June 29. Varadkar added that this will rise to 100 indoors and 500 outdoors on 20 July, all going well.

Irish Rugby have released the following statement in response to today’s fantastic news.

“The IRFU welcomes the announcement from government today which permits the return of sport from the 29th June.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the IRFU, the provinces and the clubs have illustrated their commitment to the safety of its players and volunteers.

The process of implementing the appropriate public health measures in our clubs has accelerated in recent weeks and we are committed to returning to rugby safely.

The IRFU in consultation with the provinces will assess the latest update from the Irish government and will communicate with clubs in due course.

Clubs operating in Northern Ireland will be updated based on the NI Executive Coronavirus Recovery Plan.”