Ireland’s first scheduled game of the 2021-22 season against the USA Eagles on Saturday October 30th at the 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas seems certain to be canceled amid ongoing travel restrictions between the two countries.
These travel restrictions between America and Ireland are due to be lifted on November 1st but that won’t be in time for Irish fans to travel to the game in their usual number, a key factor in organizing this game to increase the presence of overseas supporters in the states.
The game against the US Eagles would be the first international rugby game to be played at Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL franchise Las Vegas Raiders.
In the historic first 40:29 victory over the All Blacks at Solder’s Field in Chicago in November 2016 and even in the 54: 7 victory over Italy two years later in the same location, 62,300 spectators were counted 35,081 filled more than half of the stadium.
In the expected cancellation of the game next month, the IRFU and USA Rugby are likely to look into the possibility of holding the game at a later date, perhaps in November 2022.
Andy Farrell would have probably sent a second team because a week later, on November 6, the first of three home games against Japan, whose roster is already in stock, is to take place.
Ireland will also host the All Blacks on November 13th and end their fall program against Argentina on Sunday November 21st.
