Rugby league fans in Ireland are in for a treat next April when two of England's top teams go head-to-head in Dublin. St Helens will face Hull FC at the Laya Arena, a 20,000-seat stadium that is normally home to Leinster rugby union. The match is part of a Super League double-header that will also see Warrington Wolves take on Wigan Warriors on the same day.
The announcement has excited fans on both sides of the Irish Sea. Hull FC chairman Andrew Thirkill said he expects supporters to turn the trip into a memorable weekend. "We know our supporters enjoy making special occasions of away fixtures," Thirkill said. "Dublin provides the perfect destination for what we hope will become a fantastic rugby league weekend."
The Laya Arena, based in Ireland's capital, recently underwent refurbishment work. While it is best known for hosting Leinster's rugby union matches, it will now welcome the faster-paced, 13-a-side version of the sport. The stadium's 20,000 seats make it a fitting venue for what organizers hope will become an annual fixture.
The clubs have worked together to make the event happen. Hull FC and St Helens coordinated their scheduling, while both pairs of teams collaborated to create a full day of action. "We are pleased to be working alongside St Helens on our fixture and collectively with Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves to deliver something that we believe will be a tremendous spectacle both on and off the field," Thirkill said.
The man behind the deal, identified only as McManus, expressed optimism that Irish sports fans would embrace rugby league. "It's going to be fantastic for rugby league, we will showcase our game to the Irish who will be open to this sport and will love it," he said. "It's going to be a great weekend for us all."
For fans thinking about making the trip, Dublin offers easy connections from England, a compact city center, and plenty of pubs and restaurants to explore between matches. The April timing means milder spring weather than the bitter cold sometimes seen during the English winter rugby season. Whether you bleed red and white for Hull, rock the red, white and blue of St Helens, or back the Wolves and Warriors, this looks set to be one of the most talked-about away days of the 2025 Super League season.