Queensland Reds to play Italy XV during four-match international tour

The Queensland Reds will play four matches during an international tour this November, as they build towards the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season. Vern Cotter’s side will take on an Italy XV after initially facing a Japan Rugby League One powerhouse twice.

Queensland unveiled all four tour dates on Friday afternoon, with the Reds playing games in Japan and Italy before the New Year. They will face the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights first up on November 7, before facing the same side again a week later.

Those two matches in the Japanese leg of the tour will be played at Ota City Sports Park Stadium and Kumagaya Stadium, continuing the annual two-game exchange between the Reds and Wild Knights since 2022.

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The Reds then jet off to Europe for matches against an Italy XV on November 20 and Benetton Rugby on November 27. Both those matches will be held at Stadio Monigo in Treviso, which is an atmospheric 5000-seat venue.

Cotter has arrived in Brisbane ahead of the upcoming 2026 Super Rugby AUS campaign, but this tour will then serve as another important experience for the side, as they look to the Super Rugby Pacific season.

“The key shift will be getting more physical and creating that word ‘edge’. You’ve got to have fun too so you have to make sure you enjoy the contest and embrace the difficulty of it,” Cotter said.

“The tour gives me time to get comfortable with this group of players and to get to know a great coaching staff.”

Queensland Reds international tour

Reds vs Wild Knights at Ota City Sports Park on November 7

Reds vs Wild Knights at Kumagaya Stadium on November 7

Reds vs Italy XV at Stadio Monigo on November 20

Reds vs Benetton at Stadio Monigo on November 27