Rome, Paris, Edinburgh, London and Cardiff are just some of the cities hosting international rugby union fixtures this weekend.

And then there is Wakefield, a surprise entry onto the list of traditional host venues of the 15-man game, not least because the West Yorkshire city is more commonly associated with the 13-man code.

But just five weeks on from the city celebrating Trinity’s thrilling Super League Grand Final triumph, Wakefield provides the base for another feelgood rugby story.

This time it is Zimbabwe’s rugby union team, who for one game only are making the DIY Kitchens Stadium at Belle Vue their home for an international match.

Zimbabwe, playing in the Rugby Sevens, are heading back to the World Cup in Australia next year, via Wakefield. (Picture: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

placeholder image — Zimbabwe, playing in the Rugby Sevens, are heading back to the World Cup in Australia next year, via Wakefield. (Picture: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

They play Samoa in the World Rugby Nations Cup, the second-tier international competition that runs concurrently alongside the Nations Championship, which resumes in the northern hemisphere this weekend with higher-profile clashes like England v Australia at Twickenham.

Zimbabwe will play further games in the tournament this month against Uruguay next Saturday at Ealing Trailfinders in London, and then versus Chile the following week in France.

It is all part of their renaissance as a rugby-playing nation, for next summer they will play in the Rugby World Cup in Australia for the first time since taking part in the first two tournaments in 1987 and 1991. They qualified for the global showpiece by beating Namibia in the Africa Cup.

Coached by Pieter Benade, the Sables as they are known have some emerging players like winger Eddie Siguake, who has just signed for Harlequins in England’s Prem.

Wakefield's DIY Kitchens Stadium hosts professional rugby for the first time since Trinity beat Leigh in the first round of the play-offs in September.

But how did Zimbabwe end up playing in Wakefield, some 5,290 miles north of the country’s capital Harare?

Keen to play an active role in the new Nations Cup against fellow second-tier nations, their sports ministry set out to explore potential venues in the northern hemisphere.

Wakefield was one of the sites.

“I was approached by somebody representing Zimbabwe Rugby Union,” said Craig Barrass, chief executive of Wakefield Trinity.

“He asked if we’d be open to any ideas about looking at a venue. Zimbabwe has big communities in Leeds and Manchester.

"This was in March. I showed him round the stadium and everything fit into place.”

Nearly 5,000 tickets have been sold in the East and North stands with walk-ups welcome on the day. Wakefield have sold a lot of hospitality boxes as well.

A number of dignitaries are said to be coming from Zimbabwe, including the president’s son.

“We’d really like to try and make this a regular thing,” said Barrass, “make Wakefield a regular home for Zimbabwe’s rugby team.”