Ireland drop Bok plans

2008-09-20 12:00

London - Ireland on Friday shelved their ambitious plan to take on world champions South Africa at a neutral "non-traditional" venue as part of the November Tests series.

Plans to play the match in Dubai fell through as did the possibility of taking the game to Spain.

But the Irish Rugby Football Union confirmed on Friday that no additional Tests would be organised for this November.

"The IRFU had been in discussions with South Africa to play a Test match at a venue outside of Ireland, but due to time limitations and deadlines for putting the necessary operational plans in place, the game will not be going ahead," said an IRFU statement.

Ireland will play Canada at Thomond Park on November 8 with Tests against New Zealand and Argentina at Croke Park on subsequent weekends.

Australia and New Zealand are playing their first Test on neutral soil outside of a World Cup in Hong Kong on November 1. - Sapa-AFP

- SAPA