Music: {allcanada} CANADIAN RUGBY TEAM TO PLAY U.S. AT BMO IN WORLD CUP WARMUP

Monday, February 28, 2011

{allcanada} CANADIAN RUGBY TEAM TO PLAY U.S. AT BMO IN WORLD CUP WARMUP

TORONTO -- Canada will play its first ever rugby international at Toronto's BMO Field on Aug. 6 against the U.S. Eagles.

The game is billed as the only chance to see the men's side play on home soil as they prepare for 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The Churchill Cup, meanwhile is shifting to England this summer.

Organizers announced Monday that the Churchill Cup, which has been staged in the U.S. and Canada in recent years, returns to England in June.

Tonga and Italy 'A' make their Churchill Cup debuts, replacing France 'A' and Uruguay. They will join Canada, Russia, the U.S. and the defending champion England Saxons, who serve as England 'A.'

The tournament runs June 4-18 with the final set for Worcester's Sixways Stadium.

The last time the event was in Canada was 2008 when there were games in Ontario in Ottawa, Kingston and Toronto.

Canada is in Pool B this summer with Italy 'A' and Russia. The England Saxons, U.S. and Tonga comprise Pool B.

Canada will open the Churchill Cup on June 4 against Italy 'A' in Northampton's Franklin's Gardens before facing Russia four days later at Esher RFC.

The Toronto game, meanwhile, is the opening leg of a home and away series with the Eagles. Canada will play the U.S. in Denver on Aug. 13 before heading overseas for the World Cup.

Canada opens its World Cup campaign against Tonga on Sept. 14 in Whangarei, New Zealand.