International Rules Series confirmed for next year

The International Rules Series will go ahead on October 21 and 28, 2011 in Australia, the GAA confirmed today.

Venues for the matches are yet to be confirmed by the GAA and the AFL.

The Series will then take a one-year break and will return for two years from 2013 to 2014.

“On behalf of our Association and the AFL, we are delighted to announce the dates of our Tests next year in Australia,” said GAA president Christy Cooney at Croke Park today.

“The first Test will be on October 21 and the second on October 28 with venues to be decided between this and then.”

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said: "I think we've got the balance right. We had a lot of guys put their hands up this year who wanted to play last year, like Dane Swan.

"The (structure) was to give the players an opportunity to look forward to playing and touring instead of every two years.

"Because we didn't play last year, next year they'll be invited to come to Australia and that will be the second of the two years and then there'll be a break the year after."