The Wallabies will host Ireland in three tests next year, the Australian Rugby Union told reporters, which will mark the final June series before a shake-up of the global rugby calendar.

There will be no June tests in 2019 due to the World Cup in Japan and the new global schedule comes online the following year, pushing the test window to July to allow the Super Rugby tournament to be completed prior to internationals.

“The rivalry between the two nations has grown enormously in recent years with some memorable encounters,” ARU CEO Bill Pulver said in a statement.

“With a huge number of Irish expats living in Australia, Ireland will enjoy strong support when they are here for matches in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.”

The Wallabies will host the Irish in Brisbane on June 9, Melbourne on the 16th and Sydney the week after in their first visit Down Under since 2010.

Ireland won their last two matches against Australia, both tight encounters in Dublin. The Wallabies edged the Irish in the last match on home soil at Brisbane’s Lang Park in 2010.

Reuters