Benji Marshall's New Zealand upset Australia to win the 2008 World Cup

England will take on newcomers France in their opening fixture in this autumn's Four Nations tournament.

Tony Smith's side will play the French at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium on the weekend of 24/25 October before meeting Australia in Wigan a week later.

Australia begin their campaign against rivals New Zealand at Harlequins' Stoop in a repeat of the 2008 World Cup final which the Kiwis won.

The final will take place at Elland Road in Leeds on 14 November.

Tournament officials decided to use the Keepmoat Stadium instead of Hull's KC Stadium after difficulties organising a date with the stadium's operators.

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France will play two of their group matches on home soil, although exact venues have yet to be confirmed.

Rugby League International Federation deputy chairman Richard Lewis said: "Following last year's hugely successful World Cup, there is a lot of anticipation for this competition as all the teams involved will have something to prove.

"Staging this international competition is also vitally important to the RFL as we want to prove to the Rugby League International Federation that we are the right country to host the World Cup in 2013."

Four Nations fixtures and venue:

24/25 October:

England v France Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster

Australia v New Zealand The Stoop, London

1/2 November:

England v Australia JJB Stadium, Wigan

France v New Zealand TBC, France

8/9 November:

England v New Zealand Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield

France v Australia TBC, France

14 November:

Final Elland Road, Leeds

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