IRFU rule out prospect of Ireland Test at Croke Park

Irish rugby chief executive Kevin Potts has ruled out the possibility of playing an Ireland international at Croke Park in the near future.

The GAA HQ hosted Leinster's Investec Champions Cup semi-final win against Northampton Saints last month, and will be the venue for next week's BKT United Rugby Championship final in the event that Leinster face Glasgow Warriors.

The province are also set to play at Croke Park for some larger games next season while the RDS is being redeveloped.

Utilising larger GAA grounds is proving to be a lucrative venture for Irish provinces. Leinster's semi-final against Northampton sold out in a matter of hours, with the 82,300 capacity considerably more than the Aviva Stadium.

Likewise, Munster have moved exhibition games against a South African XV and the Crusaders to Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork in the last two seasons, both of which drew impressive crowds of over 40,000.

Croke Park previously housed Irish rugby internationals during the development of Lansdowne Road between 2007 and 2010.

However, Potts has ruled out the prospect of a senior Test match at the GAA stadium any time in the near future.

"The home of Irish rugby is the Aviva Stadium and that's where our Test games will be played," the IRFU CEO said.

"Croke Park, they [Leinster] did sell out in three hours which was actually remarkable, but I think we were all taken by that. My own family members were struggling to get tickets, they were gone, as we all know.

"Croke Park and our friends in the GAA are very friendly to Irish rugby and Leinster have access to it when the Aviva isn't available next year, Munster have access to Páirc Uí Chaoimh and the collaboration is fantastic.

"But if you're asking me, will there be a Test played there? No."

Po