Leicester Tigers to Play in US as Plan For New Rugby League is Put in Place

November 5, 2014

Proposals have been revealed for a new rugby union league to be created in the United States.

The National Rugby Football League (NRFL) will be run by Minnesota-based RugbyLaw and launched in 2016.

A match has also been scheduled between English Premiership club Leicester Tigers and an all-star US team, allergist known as the NRFL Rough Riders, to take place in August 2015.

The Rough Riders will consist of players recruited from professional and collegiate football, basketball and hockey as well as rugby.

“This game will truly be the first of firsts in establishing professional rugby in America,” said Michael Clements, the founder of RugbyLaw, of the match with Leicester.

“Awareness and opportunity is what we are bringing to the athletes and sports fans as we birth the major league sport of rugby in America.”

Leicester Tigers chief executive Simon Cohen added: “The name of Leicester Tigers travels across the world and we’re delighted to have been invited to witness the appetite for the game in the USA first-hand.

“Sporting facilities and the pool of talent in so many sports in the USA are the envy of organisations across the world and it should prove a very interesting trip for the club.

“Rugby is making massive strides in America and the fixture against a team selected from the National Rugby Football League clubs will provide an excellent platform both for the home-based players and also for our squad as they prepare for a new season.”