Updated at 11.40, 17 December

THE DATES FOR Ireland’s home and away World Cup warm-up fixtures against Wales have been confirmed today.

Joe Schmidt’s side will travel to Cardiff on Saturday 8 August before the sides meet again three weeks later at the Aviva Stadium. The kick-off times for both matches have yet to be confirmed.

Prior to the 2003 World Cup, the two sides met in a warm-up at the old Lansdowne Road with Ireland winning 35-12.

With two of Ireland’s Pool D matches to be played at the Millennium Stadium, the away fixture, in particular, will act as a valuable precursor for the opening game against Canada in the Welsh capital.

The two Welsh Tests are split by Scotland’s visit to Dublin on 15 August while Ireland’s final warm-up game is against England in Twickenham on 5 September.

Ireland open their World Cup campaign on 19 September before travelling to London to face Romania and Italy. The final Pool D fixtures sees Ireland return to the Millenium Stadium to face France on 11 October.

Guinness Summer Series 2015

Wales v Ireland
Millennium Stadium, Saturday 8 August

Ireland v Scotland
Aviva Stadium, Saturday 15 August

Ireland v Wales
Aviva Stadium, Saturday 29 August

England v Ireland
Twickenham Stadium, Saturday 5 September

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