Australia will prepare for their defence of the Rugby World Cup by playing home matches against England, Ireland and Wales next summer.

The friendlies form part of a seven-match build-up for the world champions, who will also face New Zealand and South Africa home and away in the Tri-Nations series.

The Wallabies will begin their international campaign against Ireland in Brisbane on 7 June, two weeks after the final of the Super 12 competition.

They will then tackle Wales in Sydney a week later before taking on England at Melbourne's Docklands Stadium on 21 June.

South African officials announced that they will play their Tri-Nations game against Australia in Cape Town on 12 July and the All Blacks in Pretoria a week later.

The Wallabies will host the Springboks in Perth on 2 August, a week after they play New Zealand in Sydney.

Australia's last game before they open the World Cup against Argentina on 10 October is the return against New Zealand in Auckland.

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Australia international schedule

7 June: v Ireland, Brisbane
14 June: v Wales, Sydney
21 June: v England, Melbourne
Tri Nations Series
12 July: South Africa v Australia, Cape Town
26 July: Australia v New Zealand (Bledisloe Cup), Sydney
2 Aug: Australia v South Africa, Perth
26 Aug: New Zealand v Australia (Bledisloe Cup), Auckland