All three governing bodies of the permanent participants agreed to end the tournament after its 2011 edition, as World Rugby will include the US and Canada in its international Test calendar from 2012.

The tournament was set up to improve the calibre and profile of rugby in North America, and also to help develop English players not yet part of the full national team.

Originally, New Zealand Māori had been invited, but they declined because it would clash with their fixture with the British and Irish Lions.

Former Prime Minister Churchill shared close ties with the United States - his mother was American - and obviously with Canada during the Second World War, so it is fitting that this tournament bears his name.

Born of an English tour of North America in 2001, the Churchill Cup of Rugby came to fruition in 2003, in Vancouver.

In addition to the changes with respect to the Women's component, in 2004 the decision was made to expand the competition to four Nations with the inclusion of an invitational side, which in 2004 was the New Zealand Maori, who won the title in a spectacular overtime match with England.

In 2005 Argentina were invited and sent their A side, which provided great entertainment for the fans and a true test of rugby for the founding Nations in the Churchill Cup.

The 2004 Churchill Cup traveled east across the Canadian Rockies to Alberta where games were played in Calgary on the opening weekend and Edmonton for the finals.

The same was initially contemplated for 2006 and 2007, but that plan changed due to the expansion of the tournament in 2006 and logistical issues related to the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

The other teams: Located in Edmonton, the capital city of Alberta, Commonwealth Stadium is the venue for the Barclays Churchill Cup finals.

Serving as the home for the Bronco soccer team, the 6,800-seat facility also housed Santa Clara baseball and football historically.

The facility is home to several local clubs, including the Ottawa Harlequins, the representative side for Eastern Ontario.

Hosted the final of the Churchill Cup in 2008 A multi-use facility including a 5,000-seat rugby stadium currently used by the Glendale Raptors.

In recent years with the tournament in Glendale, CO many games have been broadcast on delay on Fox Sports Rocky Mountain.