New trophy on offer when Australia and Wales play

The Australian and Welsh rugby unions have agreed to compete for a trophy whenever they play each other in internationals.

The two rivals, who are due to meet each other in a two-match series in Australia in the next month, will compete for the James Bevan Trophy.

The prize is named in honour of James Bevan, who was born in Australia but became the first test captain of Wales against England in 1881.

"Both Wales and Australia are highly passionate rugby nations and it is appropriate that the new trophy is named after a man who shared a great affinity between these two countries," former Wales skipper Gareth Davies said in a statement released by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) yesterday.

ARU president Paul McLean said the countries had agreed to play for the trophy this season to commemorate the 100th year of matches between the two rivals.

The teams will play each other at Sydney's Olympic Stadium on May 26 and at Brisbane's Lang Park on June 2.

Meanwhile, the ARU has cut ticket prices for this month's opening test against Wales in an attempt to boost sales amid fears of a lop-sided series.

Australian media said ARU officials had been been budgeting for a crowd of 50,000 but had only sold about 40,000 tickets, around half the full capacity of the Olympic stadium.

The ARU's announcement to cut ticket prices came just a week after Wales announced they were sending a below-strength squad to Australia, omitting 18 of their top players to save them for this year's World Cup, to be held in France in September and October.