This landmark move comes following the expansion of the women's Series to eight rounds this season, with Hamilton being one of three new stops along with Cape Town and Hong Kong.

After back-to-back wins in Dubai and Cape Town, the Black Ferns will seek their first World Series victory on home soil, while their male counterparts will be aiming to replicate their recent victory in South Africa in an event that starts tomorrow at FMG Stadium.

Black Ferns captain Sarah Hirini, who makes her return from injury after missing out in Dubai and Cape Town, told World Rugby at a press launch featuring the 28 men's and women's captains: "This weekend is going to be huge.

"A couple of our girls actually live here in Hamilton so they're going to have all their family here, but we've talked a lot about being able to have that home advantage.

"Travel for us is massive, so just having an hour-and-a-half journey has put us in good stead going into this weekend.

"It's really special to have the men's and women's tournaments played together for the first time.

The Black Ferns will also welcome back former World Rugby Women's Sevens Player of the Year Michaela Blyde, who missed the double triumph in Dubai and Cape Town due to injury.

They will face invitational side China in their opening Pool A game tomorrow, before going on to play Fiji and England on day two.

Australia, beaten finalists in both the women's Series opener at Glendale in the United States and last month's third event in Cape Town, are not the only team to welcome back experienced campaigners.

Their Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist Emilee Cherry is back in action following the birth of her daughter Alice in June 2019.

The former World Rugby Women's Sevens Player of the Year will become the latest Australian to reach 30 series tournaments, some 19 months after her 29th in Paris, when she scored the last-gasp try against France that clinched a second Series title for her country and a place in the Cup final.

With it being two years this weekend since Australia claimed their last Cup title, on home soil in Sydney, the return of Cherry, Dominique du Toit and Emma Sykes after long lay-offs couldn't come at a better time for coach John Manenti, with Shannon Parry, Evania Pelite and Charlotte Caslick sidelined.

The Black Ferns' opponents in Pool A are England, Fiji and invitational team China.

England, Cup quarter-finalists in Cape Town, welcome back Ellie Kildunne and Sydney Gregson for their first appearances of the 2020 series and will also give a debut to Georgie Lingham.

Australia will face Brazil, Russia and the United States in Pool B.

Pool C will feature a hugely experienced Canada side, France, Spain and Ireland.