Ireland could play "home" games against Wales in Cardiff

The Irish sports authorities need to find a major stadium at which to play internationals while Dublin's Lansdowne Road is being redeveloped.

The 80,000 capacity Croke Park in Dublin can only hold Gaelic games under its current rules, meaning the Irish rugby and football authorities may turn to Cardiff to stage big matches.

The Welsh Rugby Union confirmed on Sunday that they had held talks with rugby and football officials in Ireland about a switch to the 72,000 capacity Millennium Stadium.

If they have to move out of Ireland the Millennium Stadium would seem like the obvious choice David Moffett, WRU

WRU chief executive David Moffett said: "I have told my Irish counterpart Philip Browne we would be very happy to accommodate the Irish team.

"If they have to move out of Ireland the Millennium Stadium would seem like the obvious choice.

"It's reasonably accessible by ferry and air."

The move would mean that Ireland would play their home rugby matches in Cardiff in the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons - including their "home" game against Wales.

The Irish football authorities have confirmed they are looking for a stadium to stage their home 2006 World Cup qualifiers against France, Switzerland, Israel, Cyprus and Faroe Islands.

The stadium could host Ireland's football and rugby teams

Millennium Stadium general manager Paul Sergeant said: "There is no better soccer stadium in Europe and Irish fans are well used to coming to Cardiff for big occasions.

"Irish fans can fly into either Swansea or Cardiff airports from Dublin and, Bristol is only an hour away.

"There are excellent ferry and road links - we are the closest and best stadium available."

The covered stadium is already home to the FA Cup final. Worthington Cup final and Rugby League Challenge Cup final after English sports bodies adopted the Cardiff venue while London's Wembley Stadium was rebuilt.