ESBI brings ENGLAND and FRANCE to play in Athlone

Esb International has again joined with the IRFU in bringing Under-20 International Rugby to the midlands. The success of Ireland's home U-21 matches at Bucaneers RFC in Athlone in early 2006 helped the IRFU in deciding to once again favour the Dubarry Park venue for Ireland U-20 home games against France and England.

Launching this year's programme ESB Chairman, Tadhg O'Donoghue, expressed his delight with international sport once again coming to the Westmeath town. These two hugely attractive games, hosted by Buccaneers RFC, promise topclass sport and will provide a key indicator of the enhanced state of the code in Ireland and the other countries playing ESB International U-20 rugby.

Buccaneers President, Gerry Mc Inerney, thanked ESB International for their continued valued support and Irish Team manager, Phil Orr, expressed his delight to be playing the U- 20 Championship at such a great venue as Dubarry Park.

ESB's involvement in supporting the games is in keeping with the groups focus on development in youth based sport. This sponsorship along with the GAA Minor Championships, Women's Junior hockey and the Irish Athletics Development programme, keeps the focus of ESB’s sporting sponsorship on developing youth for senior success.

The first of these ESB International games sees the Ireland U-20 team take on France (who won last year's U- 21 World Championship) under the Dubarry Park floodlights on Friday 9th of February. Another of the world youth super powers, England (ranked fourth), are the visitors on Friday 23rd of February. Both matches kick off at 7.30 p.m.