COUGARS are to play Coventry Bears in a league game next month at the Ricoh Arena, which is expected to be a venue for the 2016 Four Nations Series.

The Bears' Kingstone Press League One match has been switched from their normal Butts Park Arena to the home of Wasps and Coventry City FC on Sunday, May 8.

It will be the first time the stadium has hosted rugby league and Coventry Bears managing director Alan Robinson said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase rugby league and what the Bears are all about to fans across the city.

"We have some fantastic community projects under way at the moment and hope that everyone will get behind us as we take on one of the top clubs in League One."

David Armstrong, chief executive of Wasps, said: "This is another big step in the development of Wasps' strategy for the Ricoh Arena.

"We are delighted that the Coventry Bears want to play one of their showcase games of the season at the Ricoh Arena.

"We have always supported a close relationship between rugby union and rugby league and look forward to finding further ways to develop rugby league in the midlands."

The Rugby Football League has yet to announce the Four Nations venues but the Ricoh Arena is expected to host a double-header.