ENGLAND and Wales rugby teams will take part in a unique training session behind closed doors in Bristol on Monday ahead of their respective Autumn Test Series matches.

The two nations will let their forwards face off against each other over a series of line-outs and scrums. It is believed they will compete in 15 of each which is how many they have analysed are the average number that take place per game.

It is the first time in living memory that such a session has taken place, and Wales national coach Warren Gatland is keen to get Eddie Jones’ English pack to grips with his forwards in what is expected to be a no-holds-barred session.

The session will be overseen by top Welsh referee Nigel Owens, who controlled the 2015 World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia.

Gatland said it was ‘a great idea.’ He added: "It originated out of a conversation I had with (England forwards coach) Steve Borthwick about three or fours weeks ago, just floating the idea about whether he would be interested in meeting halfway for a session.

"He said he would need to check it with (England head coach) Eddie (Jones) and clear it with him, and he came back and said it was all go.

"Given our proximity, it is a great idea to be able to do that. We are looking forward to it. It should be good for both teams.

"I think it will be well managed. We are doing some lineouts against each other, then have a good scrummaging session. Both sets of forwards need to get as much out of it as possible.

"If we both get something out of it, it is definitely something that we could look at for the future, maybe before summer tours.

"If we can both benefit out of it, and it means that going forward it is going to help both (countries') preparations for the World Cup and hopefully success in the World Cup, it is something we should look to do.

"We will see how Monday goes, and hopefully it is a good experience for both sets of forwards."