Australia XV will face Bristol in November

England side Bristol have confirmed they will host an Australia XV team on November 8 at Ashton Gate.

The Bears sit seventh in the Premiership table, including England internationals Ellis Genge and Kyle Sinckler.

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It will commemorate 115 years since the first Australian team on the tour played a combined Bristol and Clifton team.

“After such an incredible occasion against South Africa a few years ago, the opportunity to welcome another international side of Australia’s quality to Bristol is hugely exciting,” said Bristol’s director of rugby, Pat Lam.

“This is a huge opportunity for our players to test themselves against an international standard team, for our staff to put on another unforgettable event and for our incredible supporters to welcome and host Australian supporters from around the world in Bristol.

“We look forward to hosting the Australian side at Ashton Gate on Friday 8 November.”

The Australian squad is likely to be made up of players from a non-Wallabies tour team, with the first game of the Spring Tour taking place on November 10 against England.

“With the British & Irish Lions arriving next year, November’s game against the Bristol Bears is a great opportunity for the Australian XV players to show what they are capable of against quality opposition and for the Wallabies to build depth for the Lions. series,” Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said.

Bristol’s push to test itself against Super Rugby and international teams in the tournament continues with the Bears recording a historic 26-18 win over the South Africa XV in 2022.

Bristol hosted a Barbarians team dominated by Australian players in 2023 as part of their European tour.

On the day the Barbarians ran out 52-26 with Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan and Tom Wright among the scorers.

In January, the Bears welcome the Queensland Reds to Bristol in their first European tour in 35 years.