New schedule.

The World Rugby Council yesterday announced that they have approved a temporary extended autumn Test window for 2020, meaning Ireland will play six test matches before the year is out.

Up first for Andy Farrell’s men is the small matter of completing their 2020 Six Nations campaign with games against Italy at the Aviva Stadium on October 24 and France in Paris on October 31.

They will then take part in a new  ‘Eight Nations’ tournament from November into early December with the men in green set to be pooled alongside England, Wales and newcomers Fiji.

In terms of their schedule, Ireland will have a rest week on November 7 following the completion of the Six Nations before the ‘Eight Nations’ kicks off with a home game against Wales on November 14.

They will then travel to Twickenham on November 21 to take on England before welcoming Fiji to Dublin on November 28. The following week (December 5) would then be left open for a play-off fixture.

Ireland’s potential 2020 schedule:

October 24, Ireland vs Italy, Dublin

October 31, France vs Ireland, Paris

November 14, Ireland vs Wales, Dublin

November 21, England vs Ireland, London

November 28, Ireland vs Fiji, Dublin

December 5, Play-off fixture.

Official confirmation for all these fixtures is expected shortly.