England's Welsh dates are set

26 March 2010 07:58

England will meet Wales in March and September next year in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign following a fixtures draw by UEFA.

The most eagerly-anticipated games of Group G will see Fabio Capello's side take on John Toshack's Wales at the Millennium Stadium on March 26 with the return at Wembley on September 6.

England's campaign begins with the first competitive Friday night kick-off at the new Wembley against Bulgaria on September 3.

The new international calendar will see double headers played on Fridays and Tuesdays, and England continue their Group G campaign away to Switzerland four days later and then face a home match against Montenegro in October.

FA officials were relieved the draw has seen England avoid June matches in Bulgaria and Montenegro where the heat could have proved a problem. They host the Swiss in June and travel to Bulgaria in early September when the temperature is likely to be less of an issue. England finish their campaign away to Montenegro on October 7.

Wales face a tricky start, away to Montenegro on September 3 followed by a home match with Bulgaria the following month.

They travel to Switzerland and are at home to Montenegro either side of their home match against England. Wales take on Switzerland in Cardiff in October 2011 and finish their campaign away to Bulgaria on October 11.

The Republic of Ireland's fixtures in Group B were also decided by a draw and they will open their qualifying campaign away to Armenia. They are at home to minnows Andorra four days later before two tough assignments, at home to Russia on October 8 and away to World Cup qualifiers Slovakia on October 12.

Home and away matches against Macedonia follow in March and June next year before the return games against Slovakia and Russia in the space of five days in September 2011.

Giovanni Trapattoni's side will expect to pick up maximum points from their final two qualifiers, though, away to Andorra on 7 October 2011 and at home to Armenia four days later.

Source: PA