Connacht kids to play at the Aviva

The Ballinasloe U10s team

400 boys and girls from 25 clubs from across Ireland will get the opportunity to play at the Aviva Stadium this weekend as part of the Aviva National Mini Rugby Festival.

The U12 Girls teams from Portuman/Gort and Sligo will participate along with the U10 Boys from Ballinasloe, Oughterard, and Sligo.

The teams involved have been drawn from the four regional Aviva Minis Festivals held in Ballyclare (Ulster), Carlow (Leinster), UL Bohemians (Munster) and Ballina (Connacht). This will be the fourth time that the festival is staged at the home of Irish Rugby, thanks to Aviva's sponsorship of Mini Rugby.

The boys and girls from across Ireland will be playing against each other in a non-competitive and fun environment, and they will also have the opportunity to take a tour of the Aviva Stadium on the day, where they can see where their Ireland heroes prepare to run out onto the hallowed turf.

Ahead of the event, Eoin Hogan, IRFU Age Grade Manager, said: "There has been great excitement since the participating teams were drawn in February. Today's National Festival at the Aviva Stadium is the culmination of all the Aviva Mini Rugby activity across the island, in particular the provincial festivals held in Ballyclare RFC, Ballina RFC, County Carlow FC and UL Bohemians RFC in October. Mini rugby is Ireland's largest participation section of rugby and a vital platform to launch what is hoped will be a player's long association with the sport.”

Ireland Flanker Jordi Murphy, who will also attend the festival this Saturday said; "I've seen how much fun the young players have had at the provincial Aviva Minis events this season, so I'm really looking forward to being a part of the festival this Saturday.

Playing in the Aviva Stadium is a huge honour, so hopefully we'll see some of the kids involved this weekend returning to play in the green of Ireland in the future.”

Teams for Aviva Mins Festival – Aviva Stadium

U10 Boys

Armagh RFC

Balbriggan RFC

Ballinasloe RFC

Ballymena RFC

Bruff RFC

Co.Carlow FC

East Clare Eagles RFC

Kilkenny RFC

Inishowen RFC

Kilkenny RFC