IRISH FACE WALLABIES IN OPENER

IRELAND will face a rematch with Australia in their opening game of the inaugural Nations Championship next year, an event which has been described as a “tectonic shift” in the sport.

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The new biennial 12-team tournament will be contested by the northern and southern hemisphere sides to decide which is the dominant force, with ‘Finals Weekend’ at London's Allianz Stadium next November.

Six rounds of matches will take place in the summer and autumn before three doubleheader fixture days on November 27-29.

Ireland begin by facing the Wallabies in Australia on July 4, followed by away games against Japan (July 11) and New Zealand (July 18).