A design for life? Manic Street Preachers plan shows Down Under around rugby matches

James Dean Bradfield of The Manic Street Preachers performs on stage at the 'Tsunami Disaster Fundraising Concert' at the Millennium Stadium on January 22, 2005 in Cardiff, Wales.The concert aims to raise funds for those affected by the Asian earthquake (Getty Images)

Manic Street Preachers have fixed up a series of shows Down Under to allow them to watch rugby between their gigs.

The Welsh band has scheduled the shows in Australia and New Zealand around the fixtures for the forthcoming British & Irish Lions matches.

The trio, who recorded a track called Australia in 1996 which was used in ad campaigns by the Australian Tourist Board, have not visited the country since 2010. And the visit to New Zealand will be their first.

They head to Australia in late June and will play shows in Melbourne and Sydney to coincide with matches against the Wallabies and head to Auckland during a break between games.

The group said: "As massive rugby fans the chance to visit one of our favourite countries - play some gigs and watch the British and Irish Lions play Australia is an amazing once in a lifetime opportunity.

"We can't wait to play a selection of our greatest hits to our Australian fans and the thousands of Lions fans travelling Down Under."

The group last played the UK in December 2011 with a sold out show at London's O2 Arena and are due to play Festival Number Six in September in Portmeirion, north west Wales.

PA