USA Features

by Nigel Melville
Nigel Melville Direct blog

Congratulations to Ireland - 61 years is a long time to wait for a Grand Slam, and I am sure that the supporters drank Cardiff dry on Saturday night. In fact, one of my favorite stories was about the Irish in Cardiff.

When Munster won the European Cup in Cardiff a few years ago, Cardiff was hosting the soccer playoffs the following day. Having been born and raised in Leeds, I have a certain loyalty to Leeds United, and a number of friends traveled to the game.

Arriving in Cardiff, they agreed to meet a group of friends for a pre-match drink at one of Cardiff’s most popular Irish bars. On arrival they found it was closed on one of the busiest weekends of the year – on the door was a sign that said ‘ sold out’.

Yes, the men of Munster had literally drunk the place dry celebrating their win!

2009 International Fixtures

I am delighted that Grand Slam-winning Ireland, and the team they beat this weekend (Wales) will be visiting in May/June this year.

I have been working very hard to increase both the quality and number of international games for the Eagles in 2009.

This year we will be playing five games in June, two Rugby World Cup qualifiers in July and three games in November.

Significant progress has been made with the Churchill Cup (announcement shortly) and although the Superpowers Cup may not be officially launched before November 2010, I have three potential internationals that will be played in the USA during November.

That’s 10 internationals in 2009, an opportunity for Eagles coach Eddie O’Sullivan to build his squad.

To this end, Eddie arrives shortly - ironically his first game in charge will be against Ireland!

TIGHT ENCOUNTERS THRILL FANS

This weekend’s Rugby Super League threw up some interesting results. Probably the match of the week was the close encounter between last year's Super League Champions, NYAC and this years new boy’s Life University, winners of last years Division 1 competition.

Of course, there is a some way to go to the finals in May, but early indications suggest that predicting results may be significantly harder than it was last season. We now have two conferences, evenly matched and extremely competitive - this has to be good for the club game in the USA.

If you get a chance to go and watch a Rugby Super league game near you, I think you will be surprised at the progress that is being made. The arrival of Life also suggests that the teams in Division 1 are becoming more competitive. Teams to watch this year will be Glendale Raptors, Pearl City and Olympic Club.

BLUE CONFERENCE
LIFE UNIVERSITY 29 NEW YORK ATHLETIC CLUB 24
CHARLOTTE 15 BOSTON IRISH WOLFHOUNDS 8
DALLAS HARLEQUINS 42 OLD BLUE NEW YORK 31
POTOMAC ATHLETIC CLUB 14 BOSTON RUGBY 7

RED CONFERENCE
OLD PUGET SOUND BEACH 29 SANTA MONICA 6
DENVER BARBARIANS 43 OMBAC 20
CHICAGO LIONS 20 CHICAGO GRIFFINS 3
BELMONT SHORE 25 SAN FRANCISCO GOLDEN GATE 12

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For more of Nigel's blog visit Nigel Melville Direct.

With an impressive resume as player, coach and administrator, Nigel David Melville took over as CEO and President of Rugby Operations of USA Rugby, the National Governing Body of the sport in America, in 2006.  In addition to his full time job promoting the sport in the U.S., Melville has launched his own blog, Nigel Melville Direct, to further the discussion and his passion for what it will take to make the U.S. a great rugby playing nation.

CLICK HERE to read more on Nigel Melville

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