England confirmed their plans for all post-season tours until 2018 on Tuesday, as they lined up three-Test series against all of the Tri-Nations.

They will start in South Africa in 2012, visit New Zealand in 2014 and play Australia in 2016 before heading back to South Africa in 2018.

Meanwhile itineraries have been agreed with Argentina for 2013 and 2017 - when the British and Irish Lions are touring.

England's plans were announced soon after the International Rugby Board (IRB) unveiled proposals for the restoration of 'traditional' tours and midweek matches, a feature of amateur era trips abroad, could yet be added to England's schedules.

As per the IRB's 10-year schedule, there will be no England tours in World Cup years such as 2011.

England's home programme will see four (northern) autumn Tests played at Twickenham in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018 and three internationals in 2013 and 2017.

The Rugby Football Union's director of elite rugby Rob Andrew said: "This is an exciting and ground breaking schedule for all of the participating unions.

"There are no midweek games scheduled for England's summer tours as this will be determined by the respective host union and the RFU in partnership with PRL (Premiership Rugby) and the RPA (Rugby Players' Association).

"But as in this summer's tour to Australia and New Zealand, it's a concept we would be interested in discussing if all the relevant parties supported the idea," the former England fly-half added.

England play the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday before jetting off for a five-match tour that includes two Tests against Australia, on June 12 and 19, as well as two midweek matches against the Australian Barbarians and a game against the New Zealand Maori.

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