Rugby: NZ Maori to face England

England seem set to play the New Zealand Maori in June when they tour Down Under.

England will play two tests against Australia in June and will also meet the Western Force, Australia A and New Zealand Maori.

The NZRU say the matches are not confirmed but reports out of England maintain a game will take place.

The New Zealand Maori last played in 2008, when they beat Japan, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Australia A to win the Pacific Nations Cup.

Talks took place around a game against the Springboks in Soweto last year but it never materialised, largely because a government directive prevents South Africa from playing racially selected teams.

England have also confirmed they will meet the All Blacks at Twickenham on December 4 as part of series of four matches that will also see them take on South Africa, Australia and Samoa in a four-week period.

It means England, who are currently preparing for next month's Six Nations, will play Australia three times this year.

The All Blacks have met England on an end-of-year tour every year since 2005, except for 2007 when the Rugby World Cup was in France and the UK.