England among Ireland’s warm-up opponents

Ireland will conclude a busy World Cup warm-up schedule next year by tackling England at Twickenham.

The Irish Rugby Football Union announced yesterday that head coach Joe Schmidt and his players will face a four-Test programme ahead of the tournament.

Ireland’s opening game in the Guinness Summer Series will be against Wales in Cardiff on August 8, followed by successive home appointments with Scotland (August 15) and Wales (August 29), before meeting England on September 5.