CHURCHILL CUP: IRELAND WILL reacquaint themselves with Georgia at the Churchill Cup in America in June.
The Irish A team have been drawn with Canada and the Georgians in Pool A of the Colorado tournament. The US Eagles – now led by former Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan – Argentina Jaguars and England Saxons make up Pool B.
Ireland last faced Georgia in Bordeaux in the 2007 World Cup, when O’Sullivan’s team unconvincingly won the pool match 14-10 and allowed the minnows of the group a bonus point.
The Ireland A team will be overseen by Ireland coach Declan Kidney and members of his backroom staff to give them more time to work with fringe players.
The pool stages will take place at Infinity Park, the first municipal-owned rugby-specific stadium in North America, from June 6th-14th, with the finals taking place in Denver at the home of the Rapids Major League Soccer side on June 21st.
Ireland open their campaign against the Canadians on Wednesday, June 10th, and face Georgia four days later.
It is the seventh Churchill Cup and the first time it has been staged in Colorado, where Eagles coach O’Sullivan is based.
The 2008 Churchill Cup finals were played at Toyota Park in Chicago and attracted more than 9,000 fans. On that occasion, England Saxons beat Scotland A 36-19 to retain the cup, while Ireland A and Canada won the Plate and Bowl respectively, with 33-8 and 26-10 victories over Argentina A and USA. Georgia have replaced Scotland A from last year’s line-up.
CHURCHILL CUP (times Irish, all games at Infinity Park, Glendale): Saturday, June 6th: England Saxons v Argentina Jaguars, 9.15pm; Canada v Georgia, 11.30pm. Wednesday, June 10th: Canada v Ireland A, 11.30pm; USA v Argentina Jaguars, 2am. Sunday, June 14th: USA v England Saxons, 8.pm; Georgia v Ireland A, 11.30pm. Sunday, June 21st: finals, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Denver, 7.05pm, 9.30pm, 11.45pm.
