The Irish are to entertain Brazil, the world's number one side, and the Czech Republic in forthcoming friendlies in Lansdowne Road, with the Samba boys flying in for a February 18th date and the 6th-ranked Czechs due to line out on March 31st.
The two matches are seen by manager Brian Kerr as ideal preparation for the World Cup qualifiers which will get underway in September with Ireland drawn to face France, Switzerland, Israel, Cyprus and the Faroe Islands. A meeting to arrange the dates for the competitive fixtures will take place in Ireland on February 3rd.
Ireland’s position means that are in exactly the same position as this time last year while their Group Five rivals, also remain relatively unchanged with France still second, Switzerland 44th, Israel climbing one to 50th, Cyprus dropping one to 98th and the Faroe Islands remaining 126th.