London Irish will face Saracens in the first ever Premiership match to be played abroad, it has been confirmed.
The two teams will meet in New York’s Red Bull Arena on March 12 as Premiership organisers look to build the league’s profile abroad.
The idea of a league game on foreign soil has been mooted for some time now, but it was believed that Saracens would be taking the game to South Africa rather than the US.
BREAKING: London Irish to become first club to play @premrugby game abroad. Match v Saracens set for New York (Red Bull arena) on March 12.
— Alex Spink (@alexspinksport) October 27, 2015
Premiership officials are no doubt looking to the NFL for inspiration, who have been sending teams to London for several years now, with this year seeing three games being played in Wembley.
London Irish will be the designated home team for the match which will take place on the same day England host Wales in the penultimate round of next year’s Six Nations.
