Ireland’s World Cup warm-up schedule fixed

IRELAND play Scotland, France and England next August as part of their preparations for Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

Declan Kidney’s side are away to the Scots on August 6 and the RBS Six Nations champions France a week later on August 13 at a venue to be confirmed.

The French will then play at the Aviva Stadium on August 20 with England completing the warm-up programme on August 27.

Meanwhile Leinster have appointed Girvan Dempsey and Wayne Mitchell to the positions of elite player development officers.

Former Leinster and Ireland full-back Dempsey ended his playing career with Leinster in May after making 175 provincial appearances, which included Celtic League, Magners League and Heineken Cup honours. A former Ireland U21 and ‘A’ cap, the Terenure College full-back represented Ireland on 82 occasions; featuring in two world cups and was a part of the Ireland team that won Triple Crowns in 2004, 2006 and 2007.

Mitchell was appointed coach development officer with Leinster Rugby in September 2009 after joining Leinster Rugby in September 2006 as a rugby development officer for the North East area.

The duo will work closely with academy manager Colin McEntee in helping to identify club and schools players from across the province in both traditional and non-traditional areas. In addition, they will also act as assistant coaches to the province’s U20 representative side alongside head coach Gabriel Fulcher.

Dempsey said: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue my long association with my home province in this exciting role. Leinster’s underage set-up is amongst the strongest in Europe and the challenge over the coming years will be in maintaining and improving the standards, as well as the playing numbers.

“I have always enjoyed working with younger players and I’m looking forward to working alongside Wayne and Colin to help improve the elite players in the various club and schools age-grade representative sides.”

Rugby World Cup warm-up games (times to be announced):

Saturday, August 6: Scotland v Ireland, Murrayfield, Edinburgh.

Saturday, August 13: France v Ireland, Venue TBC.

Saturday, August 20: Ireland v France, Aviva Stadium.

Saturday, August 27: Ireland v England, Aviva Stadium