mens
international
Mark Sexton from Ulster has been named the head coach for the three scheduled matches for the Ireland XV in 2026/27.
To begin with, Ireland’s second team is set to compete against Fiji A at Virgin Media Park in Cork on Friday, 20 November, followed by a match against Chile at Queen’s University in Belfast on Friday, 12 February.
The Ireland XV will then head out to challenge England A at Sandy Park in Exeter on Saturday, 20 February during the Six Nations window.
Sexton, who serves as the attack coach for Ulster, will have support from assistants Jimmy Duffy, Jared Payne, and Seamus Toomey.
In response to the announcement of the fixtures, IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys remarked: “The Ireland XV programme plays a vital role in our player development pathway, offering players of national significance the chance to experience the standards, expectations, and atmosphere of the senior international framework.
“These matches help to close the gap between provincial rugby and the senior national squad, enabling players to challenge themselves against high-quality opponents while acquiring invaluable experience in a national team setting. They also provide a chance for us to evaluate players, cultivate connections, and enhance depth throughout the player pool.
“Events like the upcoming fixture against Fiji ‘A’ in Cork are crucial to this journey, testing players in diverse manners and ensuring that we maintain the development of a robust group of athletes ready to compete in the international arena wearing green.”
The match in November against Fiji ‘A’ will form part of a double-header at Virgin Media Park, where Ireland U20s will face off against Scotland in a friendly prior to the main event.
