Western Force to play series of invitational matches

The Western Force are set to play a series of invitational matches, dubbed World Series Rugby, from May to August, including games against the Crusaders and Rebels in June, when Super Rugby takes a break during the Test window.

"We have rebuilt the Western Force as we develop our tournament and we now have a wholly integrated community and high-performance club as the foundation of the future competition," said billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest.

"We have serious ambitions for this great team and for rugby in our region, and intend to see these ambitions through, starting today with the launch of World Series Rugby."

The matches will be used to prepare the Force for Australia's National Rugby Championship after Rugby WA announced the Force would replace the Perth Spirit in the competition.

The Force are also set to play in the Indo Pacific Rugby Championship, which Forrest hopes will kick off in 2019.

Word Rugby Series fixtures:

4 May: Force vs Fiji
13 May: Force vs Tonga
9 June: Force vs Rebels
22 June: Force vs Crusaders
14 July: Force vs Samoa
10 August: Force vs Hong Kong
17 August: Force vs TBC