Sixways to host Championship XV match against Canada

Worcester Warriors' Sixways Stadium has been selected to host November's match between a Championship XV representative side and Canada.

The best XV from across the league will face Canada in a showpiece game designed to highlight the breadth of talent on offer in the second tier, whilst providing a unique international experience for players and spectators alike.

The game, which is scheduled for Sunday 2 November at 3.15pm, is a new addition to the fixture calendar, where the Championship XV concept will be reignited following its 2012 success when a representative side played the Maori All Blacks.

It is another major coup for Sixways, a multi-purpose stadium which has hosted England Under 20 fixtures, the Churchill Cup and two LV= Cup finals in recent years.

Warriors Acting Chief Executive Anthony Glossop said: "I am delighted that we have been chosen to host a game which will bring together the best players in the Championship.

"We have fully embraced this Championship campaign and we are all looking forward to welcoming those players to Sixways to showcase their talents against an international side.

"It will be a great advert for rugby in the Championship, a league in which 21 of the current EPS squad have cut their teeth in the game.”

Nottingham Rugby Head Coach Martin Haag will take charge of the Championship XV, made up of English Qualified Players across the professional second tier. Moseley Head Coach Kevin Maggs will be Assistant Coach.

Former Bath Rugby Coach Haag has seen a successful career spanning nearly 30 years, from player with the West Country club and securing his first cap during a 46-20 victory over Argentina, to Nottingham Rugby Head Coach.

A Level 4 qualified coach, the Essex-born former lock said: "It's an honour to be asked to coach the Championship XV with Kevin Maggs.

"The success of the fixture against the Maori All Blacks in November 2012 showed what a fantastic occasion it is for both players and supporters.

"The breadth of talent on offer across the competition is vast and rises year on year, so we've undoubtedly got a tough selection process on our hands but I'm hopeful that with the clubs' support, we will have a team to really compete with Canada.”

Assistant Coach Kevin Maggs played for Bristol Rugby and Bath Rugby before becoming a player/coach at Rotherham Titans.

With 70 Ireland caps, including appearances in two Rugby World Cups, the Bristolian became Moseley's Head Coach in June 2011.  

General Manager of Rugby Canada, Mike Chu, said: "We are very pleased to play the Championship XV as a number of our leading players compete in the Championship and we know this will be a quality fixture against quality opposition. We are grateful to the RFU for the opportunity which will give us a great lead-in to our November Tour.”