Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The USA’s top amateur club competition on the West Coast is returning in 2018. After opting to take a hiatus in 2017, the Pacific Rugby Premiership will seal its return on February 10 with six clubs competing in home-and-away fixtures through April 28. Finals weekend is set for May 5. Clubs taking part include SFGG, Olympic, Santa Monica, Belmont Shore, OMBAC, and a new addition – Life West.
Five of those – all but Santa Monica – took part in the California Cup last year along with San Diego’s Old Aztecs. The stand-alone competition was created in an effort to avoid a schedule clash with PRO Rugby, with the PRP originally considering a fall return for the same reason. The new schedule may allow some top players a chance to get meaningful game time ahead of the Major League Rugby season, with several from the competition expected to join the San Diego Legion franchise.
Samurai Sportswear have signed on as title sponsors for the 2018 season. They are perhaps best known for providing kit to Samurai International RFC, a high-profile invitational sevens team that tours the globe and regularly features world stars on its roster. Other notable teams under its umbrella are Aviva Premiership clubs Sale Sharks and Exeter Chiefs, the British Army, and the Kenyan national side.
