Friday 5 December 2014 19:28, UK
England will face Italy in a friendly match on March 31 in Turin, the Football Association has announced.
The Azzurri will host the Three Lions either at the Olympic Stadium or the Juventus Stadium, a decision that will be announced early next year.
A return fixture will take place at Wembley during the 2016-18 World Cup qualification period.
The nations last met at last summer’s World Cup with Italy securing a 2-1 win with Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli netting the winner against Roy Hodgson’s men.
It will give us great preparation leading into major international tournaments.
The England boss, who spent a total of three years working in Italy at Inter Milan, thinks the games can show how far his side are progressing.
“Italy have always provided stern opposition for England and these two fixtures will be no different,” Hodgson told the FA's website.
“Italian teams are always set up very well and they have a great history of producing world class footballers. It will give us great preparation leading into major international tournaments."
It is 14 years since England last visited Italy when they were defeated by Gennaro Gattuso’s strike in David Beckham’s first game as captain.
The match in Turin will be the 26th meeting between the nations, with England winning eight and Italy just ahead on 10.
