INTERNATIONAL rugby stars will be heading for Hartpury next month when the university and college hosts its first ever Test match.

In a major coup for the Forest education and sporting institution, Britain’s newest university will see Fiji take on Uruguay on Saturday, November 17, in a clash that will be streamed around the world.

The Test will take place at the Gillman’s Ground, home to Championship club Hartpury RFC, on Hartpury University and Hartpury College’s 360-hectare campus.

The campus is a training base for Premiership club Gloucester Rugby, and in the lead-up to the game, the Fiji and Uruguay squads will have use of Hartpury’s state-of-the-art training facilities, which include a power gym, a performance analysis suite, spa baths, a physiotherapy consulting centre and artificial all-weather pitches.

Russell Marchant, vice-chancellor of Hartpury University and principal of Hartpury College, said: “We’re exceptionally proud of our reputation for sporting excellence at Hartpury, with a number of our former and current university and college students achieving international success.

“Though we’re no stranger to welcoming international sportsmen and sportswomen to Hartpury, we’re delighted to have accepted World Rugby’s approach to host the match between Fiji and Uruguay.

“It’s another fantastic opportunity to experience watching world-class sport on their doorstep.

“We look forward to welcoming the players and supporters from both countries and hope they enjoy their visit to Hartpury and to Gloucestershire more widely.”

Tickets for the match, which kicks off at 1pm, are available online, while a giant screen will show the England v Japan at 3pm.