INTERNATIONAL rugby squads will train at Newport High School during the World Cup this autumn, it was confirmed yesterday.

More than four billion people are expected to watch the Rugby World Cup between September and October and Newport will have a part to play in staging the tournament.

Ireland and Georgia will use a rugby pitch at the secondary school in Bettws Lane ahead of clashes at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

The Celtic Manor Resort will also welcome international players during the tournament, according to the International Rugby Board’s official Rugby World Cup website.

Rugby players from Uruguay will also touch down in Newport as they prepare for World Cup fixtures.

The rugby world cup will also be displayed at the secondary school on July 6, according to the official World Cup website.

There will also be a rugby festival for junior and secondary children at the school on the day.

All rugby players from Newport High School will participate in rugby skills activities, led by junior academy players and a tag rugby festival will be held involving rugby players from cluster junior schools.

Headteacher Karyn Keane told the Argus: “It is fantastic news for the school and the Trophy Tour will be visiting us during the summer term.”

Access to the rugby pitch will be restricted but the media are set to be given a glimpse of the training sessions in Newport.

The corresponding fixtures will be Wales v Uruguay on September 20, New Zealand v Georgia on October 2 and France v Ireland on October 11.

Newport Gwent Dragons welcomed the city’s involvement in the hosting of the World Cup.

Newport council officially approved the plans to use the Newport High School pitch yesterday.

The rugby pitch will be protected by a fence, crowd barriers and will have temporary facilities including a gazebo, towers and toilets.

Newport High School assistant network manager Kyle White said last year: “We are delighted to have been chosen to play a part in the Rugby World Cup 2015 by providing a team base for the Ireland and Georgia rugby squads.

“We were chosen not only because of the fantastic facilities we have at Newport High but because of our ability to provide a safe and secure working environment in the heart of a community.

“England Rugby 2015 will work with us to further develop our already outstanding facilities and ensure they are world class in readiness for this event.

“They will also provide all the training equipment and resources for the Ireland and Georgia teams.

“We look forward to welcoming the Ireland and Georgia rugby teams to our school in September 2015.”