Premiership Rugby Side Saracens To Hold Match In N.Y.

Premiership side Saracens is poised to continue its growth as "Europe’s leading rugby heavyweight" by staging a Premiership fixture in the U.S. in March, according to Nik Simon of the London DAILY MAIL. While "no deal has been signed off, the double champions are in advanced talks with Newcastle about moving their fixture" to the Red Bull Arena in N.Y. London Irish had signed a deal to play a game per year in N.Y. over three seasons, "but that fell through when they were relegated last season." Power brokers in English club rugby "are keen to tap into" the U.S. market, with NBC beginning a long-term deal this season to broadcast fixtures. English football’s Premier League also has a U.S. rights deal with NBC, but proposals in '08 to stage a game outside of the U.K. "were rejected amid fears of a fan backlash" (DAILY MAIL, 9/13).