Paul O'Connell believes facing All Blacks two times in three weeks will benefit Ireland

Former captain Paul O'Connell lauded the schedule of Ireland for the November Tests where they face the World Champions All Blacks two times in three weeks,

Joe Schmidt's men will start their autumn internationals with a Test against All Blacks in Chicago on 5th November following which the two teams lock horns once again at Lansdowne Road on 19th November.

Steve Hansen's men have won 18 consecutive Test matches in the United States and will look to extend their winning streak. O'Connell, who retired from professional rugby in February 2016, believes only by playing top teams, Ireland can go forward.

"I think it's brilliant scheduling that Ireland will play the All Blacks twice this autumn," O'Connell told Press Association Sport.

"Clive Woodward was a big banker of his success with England on the fact that he chased down as many matches with southern hemisphere teams as he could.

"That England team repeatedly played the best in the world in autumn series, and it paid off with the World Cup for them in 2003."

O'Connell was part of the Ireland team that almost created history in 2013 in Dublin when they were in the lead until the last minute following which Ryan Crotty strolled over the post and a conversion from Aaron Cruden ensured a 24-22 win for the All Blacks.

Despite, the retirement of Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu and Keven Mealamu, the All Blacks continue to remain formidable as seen in the series against Wales and also in the Rugby Championship.

Expressing full confidence over Schmidt, O'Connell believes Ireland can surprise the All Blacks in the Chicago encounter.

"I think the only way for Ireland to keep improving is to keep testing themselves in this way, and so I think it's fantastic to see them face New Zealand twice in three weeks," said O'Connell, whose autobiography The Battle is available now.

"There's no doubting it's going to be tough for them of course, but that's the challenge, and it's how you meet it.

"Any team tactically that's coached by Joe Schmidt will have a very good plan and it will be up to the players to execute that.

"We could play the perfect game, play to the best of our ability and we could still lose.

"So we just need to make sure we go after that. If we do that we'll have a chance."