World Champions Italy Face Trapattoni`s Ireland

Italy, who visit Montenegro four days before the match, lead Group Eight with 10 points from four games.

Italy will host their World Cup qualifier against Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland on April 1 at Bari's San Nicola Stadium, the Italian Football Federation said on its website (www.figc.it) on Friday.

Italy, who visit Montenegro four days before the match, lead Group Eight with 10 points from four games.

Ireland are three points behind in second spot after two wins and a draw under former Azzurri manager Trapattoni.

The Irish have home matches against Georgia and Bulgaria on Feb. 11 and March 28 respectively before visiting the world champions in the southern Italian city.