The new Wallabies coach will have to contend with a searching nine-Test southern hemisphere program before being allowed to experiment in a noticeably softer European tour at the end of 2006.

The Australian Rugby Union on Friday released next year's itinerary through until September with some fine tuning still to be done on the four-Test program in the northern hemisphere.

But after two internationals against England, a one-off match with Ireland and three Tests each against the All Blacks and Springboks in the expanded Tri-Nations series, ARU chief executive Gary Flowers said it would be time to experiment with players, combinations and tactics.

And likely European fixtures against Wales, Ireland, Italy and Scotland would allow the Wallabies and their new coach - who Flowers expected to be appointed by the end of February - the chance to do just that.

"While the Tri-Nations is always a tight one and we are put under the microscope, the spring tour gives us the advantage of perhaps trying a few things," Flowers said.

"We can look at things which we can then run through to 2007 and then be prepared for the World Cup at the end of 2007."

Flowers admitted the ARU had softened it stance on appointing an overseas born coach - the peak body had railed against the Force's appointment of New Zealand-born John Mitchell - but the preference was still for an Australian candidate.

"The instructions the panel have been given is to really cast a broad net and look for the best possible candidate and at this point nobody should be ruled out," Flowers said.

"I think that's an important position to start from.

"Ideally an Australian coach will be in the mix and being able to compete with anyone else."

The panel, which includes the likes of Wallaby legend John Eales and former national coach Bob Dwyer, is expected to recommend a candidate to the board from an ultimate shortlist of three or four people.

Meanwhile the ARU is considering making the opening Test with England next season a rare Sunday night fixture on June 11 at Sydney's Telstra Stadium.

A second match against the defending World Cup champion will be in Melbourne the following weekend.

With a loss to England last month in Twickenham, the Cook Cup is one of four trophies Australia will attempt to reclaim in 2006.

The Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cups are at the top of the list while Australia also plays for the Mandela Plate with South Africa.

Australia's domestic, Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations rugby union schedule for 2006:

Sat 10/Sun 11 June (date tbc)

Australia v England, Sydney

Saturday 17 June

Australia v England, Melbourne

Saturday 24 June

Australia v Ireland, Perth

Saturday 8 July

New Zealand v Australia, Christchurch

Saturday 15 July

Australia v South Africa, Brisbane

Saturday 22 July

New Zealand v South Africa, Wellington

Saturday 29 July

Australia v New Zealand, Brisbane

Saturday 5 August

Australia v South Africa, Sydney

Friday 18/Saturday 19 August (TBC)

New Zealand v Australia, Auckland

Saturday 26 August

South Africa v New Zealand, venue tbc

Saturday 2 September

South Africa v New Zealand, venue tbc

Saturday 9 September

South Africa v Australia, venue tbc

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