Rugby:England will complete their preparations for the 2015 World Cup with a game against Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday September 5th, 13 days before the tournament gets underway.

England are playing host to the event and have also lined up two games against France, at Twickenham on August 15th and away on August 22nd.

The game against England is also likely to be Ireland’s final game before the tournament.

Ireland played France twice in the build-up to the 2011 World Cap, losing on both occasions in Bordeaux and Dublin.

With both teams drawn together in Pool D along with Italy, Ireland is likely to play their traditional World Cup warm-up against Scotland and maybe one more against a southern hemisphere side.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster said: “These Test matches will be vital in our preparations for the World Cup and we are grateful to the French and Irish unions for helping us arrange these fixtures so soon after the draw.”