Aviva Premiership
London Irish set to take Premiership match to New York
ESPN Staff
May 26, 2015
Scott Steele scores a try
Scott Steele scores a try© Tom Dulat/Getty Images

London Irish are reportedly in discussions to take one of their Aviva Premiership matches to New York next season.

According to reports in the Daily Telegraph, the match is likely to be near St Patrick's Day in what is set to be a three-season contract for the Exiles to take a match across the Atlantic. There are still discussions to be had involving just who London Irish play and also where the match will take place, along with sponsors, but it appears to be close to completion.

Clubs have mooted taking matches overseas in the past with Saracens previously looking at playing a match in the USA but London Irish look set to be the first club to break that ground.

"It is hopefully just a matter of getting over the line now, the aspiration to play a Premiership match in America has been there for some time but now it looks like it will come off," a source told the newspaper. "This would be massive both for the Premiership clubs and in terms of helping to raise the profile of the game in America."

Fixtures for the new Premiership season will be confirmed on July 3 and if the New York match is confirmed, it will be a further sign of the 'strategic alliance' between PRL and USA Rugby.

© ESPN Staff

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