Ireland will play France and Scotland in a round-robin series in the autumn, the Rugby League European Federation has announced.
New Ireland coach Mark Aston's first match will be against Scotland at Scotstoun, Glasgow, on Sunday, 16 October, while Ireland's home match against France will be held at Thomond Park in Limerick, the stronghold of Munster rugby union, on Friday, 4 November.
France will host Scotland in the other fixture on Saturday, 29 October, at Perpignan's Gilbert Brutus Stadium, home of Catalan Dragons who are expected to provide the bulk of the team.
The French will also play England in Avignon on Friday, 21 October, providing Steve McNamara's side with match practice ahead of the Four Nations Series.
That will be France's first match since their surprise home defeat by Wales in the deciding match of the 2010 European Cup, which saw the Dragons replace them in this year's Gillette Four Nations Series.
'We're in it to win it,' France coach Bobbie Goulding said.
'There comes a time when you've got to stop making excuses and we've got to win these Tests.
'We've got to go out there and perform and be successful in both those games.'
Scotland coach Steve McCormack said: 'We're looking at these fixtures as really important parts of our build-up to the 2012 Alitalia European Cup and, of course, the 2013 World Cup.
'Since 2008, we've been steadily improving as a group and this year we'll be looking at introducing some good young players.'
