Glasgow Warriors will return to France this summer where they will continue their pre-season preparations which are already in full swing.

Despite winning the XV Challenge Vaquerin last season, the Warriors will not defend their crown, instead opting to travel to Issoire to compete in the Challenge Auvergne from Monday 3 until Saturday 8 August.

Warriors assistant coach Shade Munro said: “Last year’s competition in France gave us a great opportunity to give some of the younger players some game-time in nice weather conditions.

“This year, the week in France will take a similar format to last year as we turn it into an intense training camp with some games.

“The whole squad will travel, but not all will feature in the matches. It’s an opportunity to train hard, play some rugby and fuel the team-building required ahead of the new season.”

The Warriors will play two fixtures, their first against French second division (PRO D2) side Stade Rochelais on Tuesday 4 August before playing host side Clermont Auvergne on Friday 7 August. Both games are scheduled to kick-off at 8pm local time. The venues of both games are still to be confirmed by the tournament organisers.

Earlier this month, the Warriors announced two pre-season fixtures in the UK against Doncaster Knights at Castle Park on Friday 21 August (kick-off 7:30pm) and London Wasps at Firhill on Friday 28 August (kick-off 7:30pm).

Issoire is located on the Couze River, near its junction with the Allier, 40km (25 miles) SSE of Clermont-Ferrand on the Paris-Lyon-Méditerranée railway to Nîmes.

ALL THE BIG NAMES HAVE SIGNED… NOW IT’S YOUR TURN
The players have all signed for The Biggest Team in Glasgow and now it’s your turn.

The 2009/10 Glasgow Warriors season ticket has more benefits than ever before. On top of a match-by-match saving of over £100 (based on an adult season ticket), the new deal includes free entry for you and a friend for the pre-season friendly against London Wasps, entry into the ticket ballot for RBS 6 Nations tickets, free admission to the away 1872 Cup match against Edinburgh in addition to two further Edinburgh fixtures at Murrayfield plus free entry into a Partick Thistle league game.

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Call the ticket hotline on 0844 800 3490 or click here to add your name to the list of signings for The Biggest Team in Glasgow.