Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The USA will face Six Nations side Italy and friendly European rivals Russia in test matches to be played during the June international window. Both matches will be played in California, in San Jose and Sacramento respectively, as the Eagles look to build on their 2nd place finish in the Americas Rugby Championship. A third match remains a possibility though talks involving a proposed match against Scotland appear to have stalled.
Italy arrive on June 18, the second of their three-match Americas tour that starts in Argentina on June 11 and finishes in Canada on June 26. San Jose’s Avaya Stadium will host its second day of international rugby after featuring back-to-back tests in last year’s Pacific Nations Cup. The Azzurri have beaten the USA in all four of their previous matches, most recently a 30-10 victory at Houston in 2012.
By contrast Russia have never defeated the Eagles in six attempts. The two sides last met on neutral ground at Allianz Park in 2013 where the USA came out on top 28-7. Sacramento’s Bonney Field will enjoy its third consecutive year of international rugby when Russia suit up on June 25, welcoming Canada and Japan in the past two years. It will also be the home of the new PRO Rugby franchise set to begin operations in April.
