A total of 10 new players have been included in the squad for the tournament, which will be held from 18 May – 2 June.

New Zealand Maori coach Donny Stevenson said the squad was well-balanced with a good mix of experienced players and newcomers.

“This is the beauty of this team - we are able to give young players the opportunity to play international rugby. A couple of the new players came to our attention during last year’s Air New Zealand Cup, which highlights the importance and value of this domestic competition,” Stevenson said.

The Churchill Cup tournament has previously been held in North America but will this year be staged in England with the Maori's first gasme being played at Franklin's Gardens on Friday, May 25 against Canada.

“There is an air of excitement about the change of venue. This is new territory for us but that is the exciting challenge. We hope that the strong expat Kiwi community in the UK will come out and support us,” Stevenson added.

It will be the first time since 1998 that New Zealand Maori will play in the United Kingdom after playing matches in Scotland that year.

adidas Head of Rugby Nick Drake said the apparel supplier was delighted that one of New Zealand’s most iconic rugby teams would be in action in England.

“This will be a fantastic opportunity to see one of the world’s most exciting teams playing in England. New Zealand Maori are more than just a rugby team – they represent one of the unique cultures of New Zealand's society and we are proud to be associated with the team. We wish them the very best of luck in defending the Churchill Cup,” Drake said.

NEW ZEALAND MAORI SQUAD
Callum Bruce - Otago
Keith Cameron* - Otago
Aled de Malmanche* - Waikato
Tamati Ellison - Wellington
Hosea Gear - Wellington
Brendan Haami - Taranaki
Glen Horton* - Otago
Jason Kawau* - Southland
Tanerau Latimer - Bay of Plenty
Angus Macdonald - Auckland
Luke Mahoney - Wellington
Ben May* - Tasman
Liam Messam - Waikato
Kristian Ormsby - Counties Manukau
Shannon Paku - Wellington
Isaac Ross* - Canterbury
Chris Smylie - Otago
Warren Smith - Bay of Plenty
Dwayne Sweeney* - Waikato
Anthony Tahana - Bay of Plenty
Pehi Te Whare - Southland
Hayden Triggs* - Manawatu
Rua Tipoki (captain) - Canterbury
Hoani Tui* - Wellington
Scott Waldrom - Taranaki
Craig West* - Waikato

* Denotes new cap