WORCESTERSHIRE will play Ireland for the first time in a competitive match in next season's Friends Provident Trophy.

The New Road side have been drawn against the Emerald Isle in Group ‘A’ of the competition which also sees them up against Hampshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.

Next season’s competition has been de-regionalised with Kent and Scotland drawn in Group ‘B’ and Durham and Sussex paired together in Group ‘C’.

After missing out on the quarter-finals last season Steve Rhodes’ men will be hoping that a change of opponents will result in a change of fortunes.

The final of next year’s competition will be earlier than this term with match being held at Lord’s on Saturday, July 25.

Group A: Ireland, Hampshire, Nottinghamshire, Worcestershire, Leicestershire.

Group B: Scotland, Warwickshire, Kent, Somerset, Middlesex.

Group C: Surrey, Durham, Gloucestershire, Yorkshire, Sussex.

Group D: Essex, Glamorgan, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Northamptonshire.