Worcester Warriors are to host two prestigious international matches.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has chosen Sixways as the venue for the England Under 21 Six Nations games against Wales U21 this Friday, and Ireland U21 on Friday, March 17.

Warriors chairman Cecil Duckworth said: "Everyone here at Worcester is very excited to be hosting the two international Under 21 Six Nations games against Wales and Ireland.

"England U21s have played at Sixways in the past, and with players like Jonny Wilkinson, Lawrence Dallaglio, Richard Hill, Will Greenwood and Kyran Bracken having come through their ranks, I have no doubt we will once again play host to some real stars in the making. With the superb facilities we have on offer here at Sixways we are looking forward to two successful evenings of international rugby."

Jim Mallinder, England U21 and National Academy coach, said: "We are thrilled to be going to Worcester.

"Being a well organised club with a good fan base in a central location we're looking forward to some very big crowds. Creating these pressure environments is great experience for the players and good development for them in the long run."

A revised bus timetable has been drawn up to take rugby supporters to the stadium for the matches.

The timetable has been changed because not as many people are expected to attend as they would a Warriors game, but even so, about 5,000 tickets have so far been sold for the Wales match and about 3,500 for the game against Ireland. The stadium's capacity is 9,726.

However, for both these games all fans will have to pay when using the bus - £2.50 for a return ticket. Season ticket holders usually travel for free to Warriors games. Tickets for the matches, which cost £10 for adults and £5 for under 18s, can be bought by calling the Worcester ticket office on

0870 9905650.