The Republic of Ireland will contend a four-nation tournament on a yearly basis with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from 2011 onwards after the concept was agreed today by the respective associations.

The tournament will be hosted by one country each year, with the games scheduled to take place during the international friendly windows in February and May.

The matches will be staged as double-headers to maximise media exposure.

It was originally hoped the inaugural tournament would be staged in 2009 but because of fixture congestion over the next two-and-half years that was not possible.