Ireland have World Cup date with hosts

IRELAND will open their 2007 Rugby World Cup campaign against an African qualifier in Bordeaux on September 9.

Eddie O'Sullivan's squad will remain in Bordeaux for their second pool tie against a third ranked European nation six days later, but the key pool fixture will be the clash with hosts France at the Stade de France on September 21. The French open the tournament, probably against Argentina on September 7.

Ireland will then have a nine day break until meeting 'America 1', likely to be the Pumas, in St Etienne.