St Patrick’s Day Cracker

Fijian Mike Ratu SNR and Ireland A coach Ged Corcoran pictured with the World Cup trophy

Fiji UK are hosting Ireland A at Kingsway Sports Centre, Rochdale in a St Patrick's Day cracker!

The UK based Fijian team will bring the flare, power and big hits synonymous with the Bati squad who will grace Spotland for the Rugby League World Cup, with Ireland A, a team made up of the best amateur Irish players the island has to offer, will give no inch when representing their country on St Patrick's Day.

The game is part of a two part test being held as an official Rugby League World Cup warm up event which will conclude with the second game in October, the weekend before the full Fiji team take on Ireland at Spotland, and has been organized by Ged Corcoran and Ben Boothman from the Flying Horse Hotel, Rochdale.

Rochdale born Ireland coach Ged Corcoran commented: "Ireland 'A' Team VS Fiji UK is a real taster for the upcoming rugby league World Cup 2013. You will witness and watch some possible future stars for Ireland, playing against a very tough, hardened team in the Fiji boys who know how to smash moving targets and really hurt the opposition. It's going to be a real mouth watering game with both teams playing for pride and passion while serving their country for 80 minutes of Rugby League, the greatest game on earth.

"My preparation hasn't gone as smoothly as I would have liked with the lads having other commitments as studies and their union commitments back home in Ireland, but the time we have had together we have valued that time and ploughed through the sessions and trained really well and worked on the skills, structures and most important that happy environment where the lads believe in each other and are willing to work hard for each other.

"I'm really looking forward to the game to see how my lads compete against such a big physical side as the Fiji lads play week in week out, to see if we are smart enough to weather the storm and out play the opposition."

Tabua Cakacacka-Fou, head coach of the Fiji UK team added: "We have played some tough games since our resurgence a couple of years ago, namely against the Rochdale Town Team, Rochdale Hornets and in the Exiles World Cup in Leeds, but the Irish will be a different encounter all together. They are used to touring in America on St Patrick's Day each year and are treating this game with the same level of organisation and commitment, so we will have to be on our metal. We have had a training session in Stoke and Catterick in the build up so we will be fully prepared and raring to go."

Entry costs £3 for adults with kids going free, kick off is 3.00pm.

The game is being sponsored by Flying Horse Hotel and the pub will be hosting the official post game ‘Fijian St Pats Party’ with all the players and coaches.

Food will be served all day at the Flying Horse Hotel from 10.00am till 7.00pm with 2 meals for £9.95, including rump steaks and traditional Irish food. Guinness at £2.90 a pint, Irish Cask Ale at £2.30 a pint and live music all day!

Tickets for the Fiji vs Ireland RLWC2013 game at Spotland are on sale now! Call into Spotland to book your tickets.

Hospitality packages and group deals are also available via Rochdale Hornets: info@hornetsrugbyleague.com