Premiership Rugby In Talks Over Usa Game
Premier Rugby Limited are in ‘advanced talks’ to bring an Aviva Premiership rugby fixture to the United States, who also have their sights set on staging the Rugby World Cup in 2023, according to media reports.
The Sunday Telegraph revealed that Premier Rugby Limited, the body that represents English top-flight clubs, and USA Rugby have held discussions over the proposals, which could form part of a wider strategy between the two organisations.
The proposed export of an in-season fixture was revealed on the day the Detroit Falcons turned round a 21-0 half-time deficit to beat Atlanta Falcons 22-21 in a regular season NFL match at Wembley in front of a sell-out crowd.
It was the second NFL match at the London venue this season with a third match, between Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Cowboys, to come on 9th November.
Meanwhile, rugby continues to grow rapidly in the US with both New York and Seattle sending teams in this year’s World Club Sevens at Twickenham in August, with the latter already in an existing partnership with Saracens as part of the London club’s global network.
The USA will also take on Rugby World Cup champions New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago next Saturday.
The release of American players based in England has been secured to line up for their country for the match, including Northampton’s Samu Manoa (pictured above), Leicester’s Blaine Scully and Saracens’ Chris Wyles.
The US are also likely to join Wales in bidding for the 2018 Rugby World Sevens – applications have to be in by the end of the month – but they are also believed to be targeting hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2023 or 2027.
