The Irish Rugby Football Union have announced that Ireland will play Scotland and Italy in friendly internationals in August 2007 as part of their preparations for the Rugby World Cup that will take place in France the following month.

Ireland will begin their warm up programme on Saturday, August 11th when they take on a rejuvenated Scotland team in Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh (kick off time t.b.c.).  This game will then be followed by another friendly against Italy, this time at home in Ravenhill on the weekend of August 24/25/26 (date and kick off t.b.c.).

Similar to the warm up games for the 2003 Rugby World Cup when Ireland played Italy in Thomond Park, Ireland will play a home international outside of Lansdowne Road for only the second time in 53 years when they take on the Italians in Ravenhill.

The last full international played on the Belfast ground was against Scotland on the 27th February, 1954 when the Ireland team, captained by J.S. McCarthy, won the game 6 - 0.

Commenting on the game, Ulster Rugby Chief Executive Michael Reid said, "To have an international being played in Ravenhill is a huge boost for the game of rugby in Ulster.   The recent success of Ulster team and also the growth of the game in the province and throughout Ireland should ensure a magnificent send off for the Ireland team in advance of the World Cup".

Philip Browne, I.R.F.U. Chief Executive said, "With Lansdowne Road and Thomond Park both scheduled to be out of commission due to redevelopment, Ravenhill offers the best alternative venue for the game.  Similar to the last time we played Italy in a friendly international, the capacity in Ravenhill should be sufficient to cope with the expected demand".

The games against Scotland and Italy will be the final fixtures of a 12 match schedule for Ireland in advance of their opening Rugby World Cup match on 9th September in Bordeaux against the African qualifying team.

In addition to the Rugby World Cup warm up games, Ireland will play three November internationals against South Africa, Australia and the Pacific Islands.  These will be followed by five games in the RBS Six Nations Championship and two games against Argentina as part of the summer tour (dates and kick off t.b.c.).