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The Aviva Premiership makes its return to North American shores on Saturday as the Newcastle Falcons take on Saracens, two-time defending European Champions, at Talen Energy Stadium in Philadelphia. It’s the second time that England’s top professional division has taken its wares to the USA, the first taking place at New Jersey’s Red Bull Arena in March 2016. On that day it was London Irish and Saracens.
There’s no great mystery why Saracens seem to be the preferred ‘brand’ of export. Not only are they flush with international star power, but they have a local connection with the presence of two US Eagles on the squad – Chris Wyles and Titi Lamositele. For Wyles, now retired from international duty, this match hits closer to home.
“I actually grew up about one-and-a-half hours away in a place called Allentown, Pennsylvania and we still have family and friends who live nearby. It’s another example of freshening things up in the season, and giving it a bit of variety.”
Lamositele hails from the other side of the country, from Tacoma, Washington. That’s Washington State, for those whose geography has suddenly been challenged, not DC. The World Cup prop will not play in the match due to injury but is still tagging along to take part in the festivities – and the food.
“I’ve been to Philly a few times, it’s a really cool city, one of the best and oldest cities in the US so it has plenty of history. It’s quite small and there’s plenty to do so the boys can expect a great time. They have the cheesesteak out there and every place says they make the best cheesesteak – I think a few of the lads will enjoy a cheesesteak, it will be a good experience for them to sample the culture.”
This time Sarries, as they are known, are not the only team with USA representation. Newcastle have been a home for Eric Fry, Todd Clever, and Paddy Ryan in recent times and it’s New York native Nick Civetta who will fly the flag for the Falcons in Philadelphia.
“It’s a huge opportunity for me personally, and for the team. It’s an hour-and-a-half away from where I grew up in New York and it’s a great stadium. It’s great for the east coast, where the rugby scene isn’t perhaps as well-known as in some areas.”
Increasing the visibility of the sport in North America is a clear goal of the Premiership, and also that of World Rugby. The match between Ireland and the New Zealand All Blacks in Chicago was one of the highlights of the international calendar in 2016, but even that high profile match was not broadcast live and remained on the periphery of an already saturated sports landscape.
The Premiership is committed to tapping into that potentially lucrative market. This is the latest in a multi-year partnership with USA Rugby, NBC Sports, and AEG to bring at least one Premiership match to the USA annually.
As rumblings of an American franchise in the Guinness Pro Championship continue to circulate and a new domestic operation – Major League Rugby – is set to arrive, all involved see this as an opportunity to get their foot in the door. The competition for eyeballs is not lost on Saracens coach Mark McCall.
“It’s hugely important to Aviva Premiership Rugby, there’s a lot of sports to compete against. Aviva Premiership Rugby is a really good product and the rugby audience in America appears to be growing all the time and there seems to be interest in the game. We hope to catch the interest of them over there with events like this I think it can only be a good thing.”
In the other coaches box will stand Dean Richards, a former England No 8 and two-time British & Irish Lions tourist. A police constable before rugby went professional in 1996, Richards is not known for being effusive with his praise. Even he, however, sees this as an opportunity not to be missed.
“From a playing perspective, if you ask all the players and coaches they’re excited by it and why wouldn’t you be? It’s an exciting adventure to get your name out there in the States which ordinarily you wouldn’t do if you played the game up at Kingston Park.”
The occasion will not be lost on the players but it’s the contest itself, at the end of the day, that is most important. After two rounds of the new Premiership season Newcastle are level with Wasps on the top of the table, winning both matches. It puts them four points up on Saracens, who dropped their away match to Bath last weekend.
Each side has brought a full strength side with several other Americas possibles for Saturday. Canadian internationals Jake Ilnicki and Evan Olmstead are with Falcons along with Argentine trio Belisario Agulla and the Socino brothers – Santiago and Juan Pablo. DTH van der Merwe has also made the trip with Falcons but is still rehabilitating a knee injury. French international Maxime Mermoz is expected to play as are England flanker Mark Wilson and in-form Tongan scrumhalf Tane Takulua.
Saracens meanwhile are stacked with household names to rugby fans and have two World Cup Pumas on their roster in Marcelo Bosch and Juan Figallo. Among the most prominent names are Lions stars Maro Itoje, Owen Farrell, and Liam Williams. The luxuriously talented South African hooker Schalk Brits is sure to feature as well as the brutal physicality of the Vunipola brothers – Mako and Billy. The latter is set to make his first appearance of the season after opting for shoulder surgery instead of the Lions tour.
Lineups for Saturday’s match will be confirmed on Friday. Kickoff is set for 5pm local (Eastern) time, 2pm Pacific. The match will be broadcast live in the USA by NBC Sports and in the UK by BT Sport. Tickets are available via Philadelphia Union MLS and StubHub.
*all quotes courtesy of Premiership Rugby
