World Rugby has confirmed details of an exciting programme of November international test matches, with a total of 47 fixtures taking place involving 28 countries.

The schedule includes the already published tier one fixtures, as well as the World Rugby funded tier two high performance investment matches, which play a crucial role in enhancing the competitiveness of international rugby and future Rugby World Cups. 

With teams entering a crucial period ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2019 Pool Allocation Draw in Japan next May, the tournament hosts will travel to Europe to play Georgia, Wales and Fiji during the test window. 

Ireland will host Canada in Dublin, England play Fiji in a repeat of the RWC 2015 opener at Twickenham, France play Samoa in Toulouse and Georgia face Scotland among the other mouth-watering match-ups in store this November.

As the journey on the road to Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan continues, Tonga will visit Spain for the first time, where they will play their hosts in Madrid, before playing USA in San Sebastian and Italy in Padova.

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World Rugby Head of Competitions and Performance Mark Egan said: "World Rugby is committed to supporting tier two nations in their competition programmes with the objective of improving competitiveness and providing the players with relevant and meaningful test matches. 

"Our investment of more than £50 million in programmes to support tier two unions over the last four-year cycle contributed to tier two teams conceding fewer points and scoring more tries against tier one opposition at Rugby World Cup 2015 than in any previous tournament.

"We are committed to closing the gap further as we work towards Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan and will be looking to enhance our investment over the new four-year cycle for which the upcoming November internationals are both an important investment and a key measurement tool." 

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Meanwhile, fans in the USA, where rugby is one of the fastest growing team sports, will be treated to an historic event when New Zealand play Ireland in Soldier Field, Chicago on 5 November. The Eagles, who play the New Zealand Maori the day beforehand, will also play Romania and Tonga in Europe during the test window. 

As part of World Rugby's strategy to provide increasing support to cross-regional international competition, Brazil will undertake a tour to Europe for the first time, the highlight of which will be a two-test series against Germany. In addition to this, Korea will travel to South America to play two tests against Chile, while Zimbabwe, Russia and Papua New Guinea will travel to Hong Kong to play in the Cup of Nations alongside the hosts. 

The match officials for the November tests will be announced in due course.