Belgium's last game was against the Barbarians, in May, in Brussels, and was an occasion played out in front of 20,000 - the largest crowd for a game of rugby in Belgium.

The Belgium rugby federation has a comparable strength to Sussex, having nearly 60 member clubs. They are ranked the 27th nation in the world, and they will play Sussex at the Stanley Turner Ground of Lewes RFC on August 23 at 3pm.

The Belgian XV will be represented by players from the top Belgian clubs and those who play for French clubs in a range of leagues.

They are to play Ukraine next in November. This game against Sussex RFU will be part of the build up of their squad for the 2009/10 European group 2A IRB competition which also will include games against Poland, Moldova, Ukraine and the Czech Republic.

The Sussex XV will be largely drawn on players from Worthing (National League 3) and Haywards Heath (London 1).

Sussex president Roger Edmondson annpouinced: "We are delighted that the Belgium FBRB have accepted our invitation to come and celebrate the start of our 125th Anniversary,. Many of their players now play for some very senior clubs across Europe, and we are looking forward to what should be an exciting game."

Dany Roelands, the Belgian president replied: "We are most honoured to be invited and to participate in the celebrations of such an historic rugby union's birthday.

"We have just celebrated our own 75th in 2007. We are looking to strengthen our ties with clubs and unions in the UK. We brought over to Sussex our Women's XV to play a RFUW-organised South Select at the Cinque Ports Rugby ground in April, and they found the experience excellent preparation for the European Cup."

Sussex RFU represents some 40 clubs, from the oldest Brighton (1868) right through to the recently formed Cinque Ports (2006). They are one of the oldest rugby unions in England having been founded in November 1883.

Their first fixture featured players from the Worthing, Brighton and Hastings clubs. The game was played at Worthing and the visitors, Hampshire, won by one goal and three tries to one try. The Hampshire RFU is also celebrating its 125th Anniversary this season.

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