Australia will face the Republic of Ireland in a August friendly at Limerick's Thomond Park Stadium, it was announced on Monday.

It will be the first time Ireland have played a senior international game in Limerick, and the first time the recently redeveloped home of Munster Rugby has hosted a major football fixture.

Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland, who arc currently level on points with Italy at the top of World Cup qualifying Group 8, will use the friendly, scheduled for Wednesday August 12, as preparation for their vital qualifier against Cyprus In September.

Australia have several World Cup qualifiers of their own in the Asian section before then. They face Uzbekistan on March 31, travel to Qatar on June 5 and then host Bahrain and Japan on June 9 and 16.