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America, a potential rugby colossus that’s been drowsing since it won gold at the 1924 Olympics, is finally getting out of bed.
The plan is to establish an East Coast league of about six teams from Boston to Miami that would be up and running as early as next year.
The organisers intend to tap into the thousands of high-caliber college kids who play American football but are forced to quit (only a tiny percentage make it to the NFL or the Canadian Football League).
A search is underway in the major rugby countries for ten or so well-known players who are on the edge of retirement.
They’ll be offered lucrative contracts to play and live in the US. Initially, they’ll be combined with newly discovered college talent and be part of a 23-man squad which will be play a European team on a one-off exhibition basis.
Ultimately, the aim is to identify and develop 100 elite-level rugby players from graduating NCAA Division One athletes and combine them with NFL and CFL players who are open to a different career option.
There’s a heck of a long way to go – years of coaching and immersion – but US rugby is at last bent on establishing itself in the 15-a-side game by tapping something America has in abundance – an enormous amount of athletic talent.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.