Ireland rugby captain Brian O'Driscoll and coach Declan Kidney say the team is looking forward to returning to Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium for Rugby World Cup 2011, after a great first taste of training there this week.
Mt Smart hosted Ireland for three training sessions after the team arrived in New Zealand on Queens Birthday weekend - claiming to have brought Auckland's recent good weather with them.
Declan Kidney says being able to familiarise themselves with the stadium and its facilities was worthwhile.
"We feel really lucky that we found such a top-class venue after looking around last year," he says.
"It's going to be a tough week for us during Rugby World Cup, with a short turnaround before playing Australia at Eden Park, so to know we have such good training facilities is a great source of comfort.
"We've found a gem to return to in 15 months time."
He also acknowledged the Mt Smart staff, saying their cooperation and friendliness made the team feel at home - "and that's the best compliment you can give someone".
Brian O'Driscoll echoed his coach's thoughts on the stadium experience, and was not unaware of its tradition as home to the Warriors and the sporting code of rugby league.
"I've watched a bit of NRL and test matches between Australia and New Zealand, with quite a few Warriors players involved of course," he says.
"It's not for the faint-hearted - I'm glad I'm playing the code I'm in!" Ireland will take a cross-code symbol with them, after being presented with a framed Warriors heritage jersey by Mt Smart Stadium.
Stadium group manager Paul Nisbet says Mt Smart has formed a strong relationship with the Irish team.
"It was nice to play host to a team of great international standing, and good to see our staff and facilities being able to meet their requirements."
When the men in green return to Auckland for RWC 2011, they will train at Mt Smart the week beginning 12 September, before meeting Australia in a pool match at Eden Park on 17 September. By that time, Mt Smart's No. 2 field will have been re-turfed and had a new irrigation system installed. The work is due to start this October and will take about a month. Fiji will be the other team to have an RWC training base at the stadium, from 18 to 25 September 2011. Fans of both teams and local communities will have the chance to get players' autographs and watch open training sessions.
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