The North Terrace will remain closed until a full safety inspection has been carried out with the Irish Rugby Football Union warning the necessary checks will not be completed until after the All Blacks encounter.

The fire, which an IRFU statement describes as small, began beneath the North Terrace and was restricted to a confined area. The North Goal Line has not been affected by the incident.

The IRFUs statement read: The decision to close the North Terrace was taken in the interest of safety following consultation with the IRFU, the Gardai and other relevant authorities.

North Terrace ticket holders are advised it will not be possible to gain access to any other area of the stadium.

In the interest of safety and crowd control, North Terrace ticket holders are earnestly asked not to come to the vicinity of the ground.

The IRFU regrets the North Terrace closure and the disappointment and inconvenience caused and assures patrons holding tickets for that area that notices will be issued as soon as possible regarding procedures for a full ticket price refund.

The North Goal Line area is not affected and ticket holders for those seats will gain access by the stated routes as indicated on tickets.