Ireland paired with hosts for U21 World Cup

Mark McDermott's Ireland outfit have been draw to play hosts France, Argentina and Georgia in the pool stages of the 2006 Under-21 Rugby World Cup.

The tournament, won by South Africa last year, takes place in Clermont-Ferrand and Vichy in the Auvergne region of France, from June 9 to 25 next.

Ireland, ranked ninth after last summer's display in Argentina, will face the fourth-seeded French in Issoire on the opening day.

McDermott's charges will then line out against Argentina in Cournon, four days later, and wrap up the pool stages against Georgia in Issoire on June 17.

Champions South Africa, whom Ireland lost 42-25 to in last year's pool stages, had been seeded first with fellow Southern Heimisphere giants - Australia and New Zealand - ranked second and third, respectively.

The June 25 final will be played at the 14,000-capacity Stade Marcel Michelin, the home of the ASM Clermont Auvergne club.

The Irish Under-21s, who face Leinster 'A' in a friendly at Donnybrook this afternoon, get their Six Nations campaign under way on February 3 when Italy visit Dubarry Park in Athlone.

A week later, they meet France in Strasbourg.

2006 UNDER-21 RUGBY WORLD CUP:

POOLS (Rankings in brackets) -

Pool A: South Africa (1), Wales (8), Ireland (9)

Pool B: Australia (2), England (7), Italy (10)

Pool C: New Zealand (3), Scotland (6), Oceania Qualifier (11)

Pool D: France (4), Argentina (5), Georgia (12)

IRELAND FIXTURES:

Friday, June 9: France v Ireland, Issoire, 7.00pm (Irish time) Tuesday, June 13: Ireland v Argentina, Cournon, 5.30pm Saturday, June 17: Ireland v Georgia, Issoire, 3.00pm

Wednesday, June 21: Play-Offs/Semi-Finals

Sunday, June 25: Play-Offs/Final