Ross Ford in action against the All Blacks

In a year-long countdown to the 2011 Rugby World Cup, head coach Andy Robinson's team will face the current No 1 team in the world, New Zealand, at Murrayfield on the weekend of 13/14 November.

Next up will be reigning world championships South Africa who provide the opposition at Murrayfield on the weekend of 20/21 November.

The autumn series concludes with a match against a country that has happy and fresh memories of a trip to Scotland.

Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s and IRB World Series winners Samoa will return in the XV-a-side arena on the weekend of 27/28 November. The venue for this match is still to be confirmed.

Nathan Hines scores against South Africa

Andy Robinson said: "These internationals are very important and will provide us with the full-on challenge to improve that can only come from the intensity of the Test match arena.

"As a team we will strive to produce a winning performance to inspire a strong and vocal Murrayfield support."

Other details, including ticket prices, kick-off times and when tickets will go on sale, will be announced shortly.