LONDON IRISH AND Saracens have announced that they will play their Aviva Premiership meeting this March in New York
The game will be the first ever overseas Premiership match, as they look to tap into the growing USA Rugby market.
The sides will be hosted at home of MLS side New York Red Bulls (The Red Bull Arena) on March 12 next year, in what will officially be a home game for London Irish.
“This is an enormous opportunity for London Irish and a chance for our club to gain exposure in one of the biggest sporting cities in the world,” London Irish chief executive Bob Casey said.
“The New York region has a significant Irish community and is renowned for its annual St Patrick’s Day Parade, so it’s the perfect time for our club to venture into this market.
“Rugby is set for an exciting time with Rugby World Cup 2015 reaching its final stages, the inclusion of sevens in the 2016 Olympic Games, and now the first-ever Aviva Premiership fixture in the USA.”
However, with the game taking place in the middle of the Six Nations calendar, both sides are likely to be without key players, Premiership Rugby boss Mick McCafferty is confident that the overseas game – which has been in the works for several years – will be a success.
McCafferty says that the game at the 25,000 seater stadium will be just the first of several matches staged overseas in the coming years.
“This is a significant day in the history of Premiership Rugby, and one that has taken a number of years and a lot of hard work to bring to fruition,” said McCafferty.
“Premiership Rugby is the most competitive league in world rugby with a fast-growing following outside England, and we are delighted to stage a competitive match in the USA.
“There are ambitious plans to grow the game in the States, and this is the latest stage in that strategy.”
