Wallabies on 'Grand Slam' tour in 2016
Australia will embark on their tenth 'Grand Slam' tour in 2016, aiming to beat the home nations of Britain and Ireland in one trip for the first time in 30 years, officials said Friday.
After falling to New Zealand in the World Cup final at Twickenham earlier this month, the Wallabies will return to the northern hemisphere next year for a seven-match, five-Test tour, including France.
"The 'Grand Slam' is one of the rarest achievements in the game and has been a notoriously difficult one for the Wallabies over time with only one successful attempt out of nine," Australian Rugby Union chief Bill Pulver said.
The last time the Wallabies pulled off the feat was in 1984. In their most recent attempt, in 2013, Australia opened with a loss to England before defeating Ireland, Scotland and Wales as well as Italy.
Australia begin their 2016 campaign in Cardiff on November 5, before meeting Scotland at Murrayfield, France in Paris and then Ireland in Dublin.
Two mid-week tour matches are yet to be confirmed but the tour will conclude on December 3 against England at Twickenham.
Australia will also host England in a three-Test series next June.
Fixtures:
Nov 5: Wales v Australia at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Nov 12: Scotland v Australia at Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Nov 19: France v Australia at Stade de France, Paris
Nov 26: Ireland v Australia at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Dec 3: England v Australia at Twickenham Stadium, London
- AFP