Australia line up Gloucester game

Kingsholm is the smallest venue in the 2015 World Cup bid

Australia will take on Gloucester in a tour match at Kingsholm on 3 November ahead of their autumn internationals.

Gloucester's managing director Ken Nottage said: "Everyone here is working hard to establish Kingsholm as one of the premier rugby venues.

"We've been lucky enough to stage a European Challenge Cup Final and Under-20 internationals. This match further boosts our credentials."

Australia face the four home nations on successive weekends from 7 November.

It will not be the first time Australia has appeared at Kingsholm as they took on Gloucestershire when the first Australian representative team, the first Wallabies, visited the UK in 1908.

It's about getting these games, making sure they work and then getting the next one

Gloucester commercial manager Pete Grzonka

Kingsholm has since been the scene of many memorable games over the years, including Gloucester facing the All Blacks in 1905, South Africa in 1906, the 1924 All Blacks who were nicknamed 'The Invincibles', and England prior to the 1991 World Cup.

Commercial manager Pete Grzonka told BBC Gloucestershire: "It's come about through some contacts and lot of hard work from Mike Burton. I think he's got his little black book out and worked miracles.

"There is a financial benefit if we sell the stadium out but it's about more than that. It's about getting prestige events at Kingsholm.

"The club has a fantastic fan base, a good team and good facilities. It's about getting these games, making sure they work and then getting the next one," he added.

Gloucester's Anglo-Welsh game with Cardiff has been moved to Sunday 8 November as a result of the Australia fixture.