Ireland A will face the New Zealand Maori and Canada in Exeter's new Sandy Park Stadium when the Churchill Cup gets underway in the summer.

The six-team event, won last year by New Zealand Maori, takes place in England for the first time. While Twickenham will stage finals day, pool matches have been scheduled for Exeter, Stockport, Northampton and Henley.

The tournament will kick off with the England Saxons against the United States on May 18th at Sale's Edgeley Park ground in Stockport.

"We are delighted to be able to offer so many rugby fans the chance to see top international teams in action in their region," Terry Burwell, tournament director Terry Burwell said in a statement.

"Rugby fever will hopefully be building as we head towards the Rugby World Cup 2007 this September and the Churchill Cup offers sports fans a taster of some of the young hopefuls in contention for the World Cup itself."

Churchill Cup fixtures

England Saxons v United States, Edgeley Park (Sale) May 18
Ireland Av Canada at Sandy Park, Exeter May 19
Scotland A v United States at Henley May 23
New Zealand Maori v Canada at Franklin's Gardens, Northampton, May 25
Ireland Av New Zealand Maori at Sandy Park May 29
England Saxons v Scotland A at Twickenham May 28
Churchill Cup finals day at Twickenham (all six teams, kick offs TBA) June 2