Ireland look set for their first tour of New Zealand in a decade, with a three-test tour reportedly scheduled for 2022.
The Irish Times reports that the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) are currently in negotiations, with an agreement expected.
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Ireland have lost all 12 tests against the All Blacks in New Zealand and the proposed 2022 tour would be Ireland’s first to New Zealand since 2012.
With next year's World Cup dominating the international calendar, Ireland will not host the All Blacks again until November 2021.
Before that, the focus is on Sunday's (NZ time) test at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin - the first between the two teams since 2016.
That year, Ireland made history, with their first-ever win over the All Blacks in a convincing 40-29 result at Chicago's Soldier Field. The All Blacks avenged that loss two weeks later in Dublin, with a 21-9 loss at the Aviva Stadium.
The All Blacks could face Ireland in the World Cup playoffs in the quarter-finals or the final.
If the All Blacks top Pool B and Ireland finish second in Pool A or vice-versa, they would meet in the final eight, but if both teams top their pools or both finish second, they could square off in the final.
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Join us at 7:30am Sunday for live updates of the All Blacks vs Ireland at Dublin.
