Reigning Paralympic champions Australia will open the Rio 2016 wheelchair rugby competition against Great Britain, the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) said on Friday (22 July) when it released the complete schedule for this September's Paralympic tournament.

At London 2012, a powerful Australia side defeated Canada 66-51 to claim gold. The USA won bronze, beating Japan 53-43.

Canada will also be in action on the opening day of competition in Rio, 14 September, taking on host nation Brazil in a night game.

In total, eight nations will participate in the wheelchair rugby competition at Rio 2016: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Great Britain, Japan, Sweden and the USA.

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Since the sport made its official Paralympic debut at Sydney 2000, four countries have dominated the medal positions. The USA has won two golds, and Australia and New Zealand one gold each. Canada and Australia have been silver medallists twice.

Australia also won the world championship in 2014, with Canada again the silver medallists and four-time world champions the USA back in bronze.

The USA, currently ranked world no.1, will begin their campaign in Rio in the tournament's second match, against France.

There will be a repeat of the London 2012 final on the night of 16 September, when Australia and Canada face off again. Earlier the same day, the USA and Japan will replay the bronze medal match of London 2012.

Richard Allcroft, IWRF Technical Delegate for the Rio 2016 Paralympics said “we have spent several years working towards this point and it’s exciting to think that the sport will be back on the global stage."

"Rio is an amazing city and the Brazilian people know how to create an atmosphere."

The group-stage matches will run from 14 September to 16 September. There will be two semi-finals on 17 September followed by the bronze and gold medal matches on 18 September, the last day of the Paralympic Games.

All matches will take place at Carioca Arena 1.