The IRFU has confirmed the number of fans allowed to attend this summer's tests with Japan and the United States. 

The matches serve as part of the government's pilot programme for the safe return of supporters to Irish stadiums.

The Japan game on July 3 will be played out in front of a maximum of 3,000 fans (5.8 per cent of the Aviva's capacity)

The following week will see that number doubled, with 6,000 allowed for the visit of the United States to the Lansdowne Road venue.

It will be the first time since the Six Nations meeting with Wales in February 2020 that any fans have been allowed watch any of Ireland's home internationals.

300 tickets for the Japan game will be allocated to front-line medical workers, in honour of their work throughout the pandemic. All rugby clubs will also be represented by their respective presidents.

25 per cent of tickets for the United States match will be made available through rugby clubs via their branch ticket office.

IRFU chief executive Philip Browne said, "Firstly I would like to thank the government for their approval of these two international rugby fixtures as pilot events.

"It has been a long time since the Ireland team have played in front of live albeit limited support, at the Aviva Stadium.

"These games are initial positive steps on the journey back to hopefully full stadia across the Island. The numbers are small, but I am sure spectators will make themselves heard in cheering on the team.

"We look to deliver two successful safe events, as our part in the government approved sporting and cultural pilots in the months ahead.

"We hope that this programme, if successful will put us all in a strong position to welcome back larger numbers of fans to the Aviva Stadium in the Autumn when we will have three international rugby fixtures including games against New Zealand and Argentina."

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