Autumn Series for 2016 shaping up

Ireland played their first autumn International Test recently in England, and they will host the return fixture in Dublin on Sunday, November 13 before taking on Canada on Saturday, November 19.The games will serve as excellent preparation on and off the field for Ireland, who will host the Women's Rugby World Cup in 2017.Ireland Women's head coach Tom Tierney believes that the addition of autumn internationals to the Women's calendar is a very positive step forward for the development of the national squad, saying: "It's fantastic to have these games next November."There were nine new caps for the England game last month and that will really stand to the players and the squad as we look towards the Six Nations."Adding these fixtures to the calendar for the 2016/17 season will mean we can get a strong build-up to what will be a huge year in 2017."

England meanwhile have done a sponsorship deal with Old Mutual Wealth, the UK’s leading wealth management business which includes the company becoming the title partner of the England Men’s and Women’s autumn internationals, which will both become the Old Mutual Wealth Series from 2016. It the first time England Women will have a title partner for their autumn series.

England  will play home fixtures against France and Canada with the match against Canada taking place at Twickenham Stadium following the Argentina international. They will also play an away Test against Ireland on Sunday 13 November and a potential further home fixture with another opponent is being arranged

IRELAND WOMEN'S NOVEMBER 2016 FIXTURES:

Ireland v EnglandSunday, November 13Ireland v CanadaSaturday, November 19

ENGLAND WOMEN'S 2016 Old Mutual Wealth Series

England v FranceWednesday, November 9KO, venue and broadcast details TBC

England v CanadaSaturday, December 3KO TBC, Twickenham Stadium