Monday, August 30, 2010

Wales set to confirm 2011 World Cup warm-up schedule

Wales are in the process of finalising details for four summer Test matches next year as they build towards the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

They will play a June game at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium to mark the 130-year anniversary of the Welsh Rugby Union.

Home and away fixtures against England follow on 6 and 13 August, the details of those games yet to be confirmed.

Another August Test could follow at the Millennium Stadium against a southern hemisphere side, probably Argentina.

"We've got something special in June to celebrate 130 years of the WRU," said the Union's group chief executive Roger Lewis.


Wales face England warm-ups, despite unhappy experiences in 2003 & 2007
"There are a couple of very special warm-up matches in August against England and perhaps something else as well.

"We've got a very big meeting with our friends from another southern hemisphere country."

While the August fixtures are restricted to World Cup years, Wales are looking to make the June Test a regular fixture of the international calendar to help boost finances.

This June's 34-31 defeat to a second-string South Africa side attracted over 60,000 fans to the Millennium Stadium.

Wales open their World Cup campaign against holders South Africa in Wellington on 11 September, with group games to follow against Samoa, Namibia and Fiji.

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