Carling Nations Cup fixtures announced

Ireland will take on Wales in the opening game of the Carling Nations Cup next year.

The four-team competition, which will be staged in Dublin, will start in February 2011 with NI and Scotland also taking part.

Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland will open proceedings against the Welsh on Tuesday, 9 February with NI and Scotland clashing a day later.

Trapattoni said: 'The Carling Nations Cup is a tournament that we would very much like to win, particularly playing at home in Dublin.

'The matches will provide us with a good opportunity to see our players in games with a real competitive edge at an important time in our bid to qualify for 2012.'

Scotland boss Craig Levein added: 'Now that the schedule has been announced we are really looking forward to our visit to Dublin next year.

'This exciting new competition brings together four groups of passionate fans and also allows me to test my squad, in a competitive environment, in the middle of our Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.'

Carling Nations Cup fixtures:

8 Feb: Ireland v Wales
9 Feb: NI v Scotland
23 May: Ireland v NI
24 May: Wales v Scotland
26 May: Wales v NI
27 May: Ireland v Scotland