It is the first time the stadium, normally home of only Gaelic games, has been used for rugby, and it will host Ireland's pivotal clashes this year, against France and England, as they enter the Six Nations hot favourites for a Grand Slam.

Six terrace tickets each went for £235 (US$456) on Monday, nearly eight times the face value of £30 (US$58), and one ticket was on sale for £425 (US$825) although there were no bidders.

The deal allowing rugby to be played at Croke Park is only for one year, but with work at Lansdowne Road not expected to be finished until 2009, it is thought that will be extended, despite worries about the playing surface's suitability.

The pitch is a mixture of real and artificial grass right now, and the stadium itself is in need of a revamp, but stadium director Peter McKenna insists that it will be perfect by the time of the games - on February 10 against France, and February 24 against England.