The Algarve Stadium had been considered by the body that oversees the sport in Portugal for the match against the current second-placed team in the World Rugby rankings, which could ensure a larger attendance due to the high number of tourists in that region at that time of year, “but it will be busy on that date”, explained the director.

“It will be in Lisbon, at the Campo de Honra of the National Stadium. We hope that the public understands and supports us so that we can continue to have quality rugby games in Portugal”, said Amado da Silva.

The opponent, from the ‘tier 1’ of world rugby, will help “pave the way for the World Cup” in Australia 2027, a competition for which Portugal secured qualification on Sunday, after beating Germany, 56 to 14, in Restelo.

Ireland are currently two-time champions of the Six Nations tournament and leads this year's competition with 10 points from two rounds already played, thanks to victories against England (27 to 22) and Scotland (32 to 18).

It will be the first time that the two countries' teams have played an official match, part of World Rugby's summer testing 'window'.