Club XV Fixture Against Ireland to Return in February 2026

The Club XV international fixture began in 2006 when Scotland travelled to play their Irish Club XV counterparts in Donnybrook, and continued through to 2020 until the pandemic created a break in the fixture.

Ireland and Scotland will once again contest the Dalriada Cup, which was first introduced in 2011, to mark the historic ties between the two nations. Ireland are the current holders having won on aggregate over home and away legs in that last fixture five years ago.

The Scotland Club XV team will be selected from men’s players who have represented their district in the Inter-District Championships, with the next round happening on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 December.

The Club XV returns with an away match on Friday 13 February in Dublin that will be live streamed on the IRFU’s streaming platform, IrishRugby+, with a return home fixture planned for the 2026/27 season.

Scottish Rugby’s Director of Rugby Development, Gav Scott, said: “It is great to see the return of the Club XV side and we welcome the opportunity to continue the legacy of the Dalriada Cup.

“We brought back the Inter-District Championships in 2023 as a commitment to developing the pathway of the domestic game. The return of the Club XV fixtures will be the pinnacle to this structure as well as allowing for additional competitive match experiences for all players within our full pathway.”

Commenting on the return of the Scotland fixture announcement, IRFU Rugby Competitions Manager, Kevin Beggs, said: “We are pleased to confirm the return of the Club XV fixture, against a Scottish Club side. We value our collaboration with Scottish Rugby in reinstating this important event.

“The Ireland Club XV offers the leading players from the Energia All-Ireland League an opportunity to represent their clubs, families, and the league, while demonstrating the high standards and quality of the competition. We look forward to welcoming the Club XV back to Dublin this February.”