Ireland XV will return to action in 2026 when Thomond Park stages a Friday night encounter against England ‘A’ in February.
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Building on November’s win over Spain in Madrid, Ireland XV will welcome England ‘A’ to Limerick on Friday, 6 February (kick-off 7.15pm). The fixture offers another important opportunity for players on the national radar to gain high-level match experience in a green jersey.
The February clash follows recent outings against Spain and last season’s Ireland ‘A’ meeting with England ‘A’ in Bristol.
When the two played each other last year, England A defeated Ireland A 28–12 in a hard-fought encounter at Bristol Bears’ Ashton Gate. Tries from Ollie Hassell-Collins, Jack van Poortvliet and Greg Fisilau, along with a penalty try, plus two conversions from Charlie Atkinson and one from Jamie Shillcock, secured the victory.
It will further expand the pool of players exposed to the national team environment during a demanding international window, with Andy Farrell’s Ireland beginning their Guinness Men’s Six Nations campaign in Paris the previous evening.
This autumn, both England and Ireland dispatched representative sides—comparable to those set to meet in this forthcoming fixture—to Spain.
The outcomes were contrasting: Ireland XV swept aside the hosts with a commanding 61–24 victory in Leganés, while England A were pushed far harder in Valladolid, edging a 29–25 win in which teenage wing Noah Caluori made a strong impression, crossing for a try and showcasing his promise with a dazzling, evasive run.
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