Well this is a surprise.
Ireland are still coming off the back of their Rugby World Cup hangover but plans are being firmed up today for next season’s November internationals.
Earlier this morning it was confirmed that Australia will face Ireland in the Aviva as part of their northern hemisphere tour at the tail end of November 12 months from now, and it seems Ireland also face a trip across the Atlantic next winter.
According to the Irish Times Ireland are set to face the All Blacks twice in the space of a few weeks next year, but in venues thousands of miles apart.
The report suggests Ireland are due to play the World Champions in Soldier Field in Chicago on November 5th, before playing a tier two nation at the Aviva the week after.
We’ll then meet the All Blacks again at the Aviva on the 19th of the month, before meeting Australia on the 26th of November.
Good to Ireland playing the All Blacks twice next November. If we both beat them when theyre rebuilding we never will. #IRFU
— Paddy O'Brien (@MagnumPIG) November 13, 2015
The All Blacks have previously played in the home of the Chicago Bears NFL team in America, after securing a win against the USA in a game held there there in 2014.
The match will be the 29th time Ireland will have faced the New Zealanders, with our record standing at 0-28 so far.
2016 is set to see Irish players dig out their passports for several trips around the world, as a summer tour to South Africa was only announced last week, with a three -test tour against the Springboks organised for next June.
