Ireland to face Italy in November at Soldier Field

Ireland will return to Soldier Field, Chicago on November 3 to face Six Nations rivals Italy, almost exactly two years on from their famous win over the All Blacks at the NFL venue.

The IRFU today confirmed that Joe Schmidt's Grand Slam winners will begin their November Test series in Illinois, the stadium is home to NFL franchise Chicago Bears.

The fixture will form one part of a triple-header, entitled The Rugby Weekend, which will also see the USA Men’s and Women’s Eagles teams play against the Maori All Blacks and Women’s Rugby World Cup Champions the Black Ferns respectively.

"Irish Rugby is delighted to be returning to Chicago," IRFU Director of Commercial and Marketing Padraig Power said in a statement.

"In 2016 the Ireland team experienced tremendous support and made history in a week that also witnessed the Cubs celebrating their own piece of history on the streets of Chicago.

"We are looking forward to an exciting match against Italy who are a well-coached and dangerous team." 

Ireland will return home to Dublin following the fixture against Conor O'Shea's Azzurri, hosting Argentina & New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium, with a fourth Test against a Tier-two nation still yet to be confirmed, but expected to be Gary Gold's US Men's Eagles.