We won't have Paul O'Connell's heroic last minute tackles this time around but Australia are coming back for more. The World Cup finalists have today announced a bumper northern hemisphere tour for the winter of 2016 and Ireland are on the schedule.
The Wallabies have announced a huge five test tour with clashes against Wales, Scotland, Ireland, England and France all on the agenda. The tour could conceivably see Australia better the Grand Slam of 1984 when they defeated each of Wales, Scotland, Ireland and England. By adding that France to that list, the Wallabies are certainly aiming to end the year on a high note.
Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver said of the challenge;
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.
The 1984 team etched their names into Australian Rugby folklore and as the years have passed their achievement has become more legendary.
The series will begin on November 5th against Wales in Cardiff. The tests will then come on consecutive Saturday's with Scotland next up, before they head to France. Dublin follows on November 26th before the tour ends in Twickenham on December 3rd.
The last time Ireland hosted Australia was during the 2014 autumn internationals. Ireland's 26-23 win capped off a clean sweep for Ireland back then and we'll be hoping we can do something similar next year and put a halt to any hopes of this Grand Slam idea.
