Wallabies to tackle Ireland next June

Oct 17, 2017 - 7:14 AM The Wallabies will host world No.4-ranked Ireland next June in a three-Test home series.

The Australian Rugby Union will make the announcement at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon alongside Irish President Michael Higgins, who is in the country on a state visit and will be on hand for the formalities.

It will be the final June Test series held in Australia, with 2019 being a World Cup year and a new global calendar to take effect from 2020, when the mid-year Tests will be played in July at the conclusion of the Super Rugby season.

Ireland are the last team to have beaten New Zealand, having toppled them in Chicago last year.

But they have a poor record of just three wins out of 14 matches in Australia - the last coming way back in 1979.

However, they have beaten the Wallabies in their last two encounters, and also prevailed 15-6 when they met in the pool stages of the 2011 World Cup.

Australia played a June series against Fiji, Scotland and Italy this year, with meagre crowds at all three fixtures.

Source: AAP