Halifax-hosted international rugby match one step closer to reality

Halifax's Special Events Committee has approved a request for a $50,000 grant towards an international rugby match. 

At the end of August, organizers want to host a match between the Glasgow Warriors of Scotland and Canada's national senior men's team. 

They're calling it, "The Battle for Nova Scotia". 

"We're very fortunate that we were able to put forward a winning proposal to them to get these two great teams here and put on a first class, a really world-calibre rugby match," said Derek Martin of Sport Entertainment Atlantic. 

Though the grant still needs final approval from regional council, the organizers have already been approved for a $70,000 grant from the province. 

Organizers hope to garner excitement for the sport before the Rugby World Cup, which will be held between September 17 and October 31 in the U.K. 

"It's very exciting … I know the Canadian team is playing a number of matches across the country as they kind of build excitement before they leave and head over."

Martin said the plan is to host the game on Wanderers' Grounds, near the Museum of Natural History. Extra bleachers and tents will be brought in to transform the venue. 

"We've managed the beach volleyball events down on the waterfront the last few years, so we're familiar with where to find and bring in these types of seating arrangements," Martin said. "So, we'll bring that in, we'll get the capacity in here at just up over 5,000 people."

Ticket prices have not yet been finalized, but will likely be between $15-20, Martin said.  

The game will be the Canadian team's final match on home soil before the Rugby World Cup.