USA

Rugby Union is currently the fastest growing team sport in the United States and the sport’s long-term goal of cracking that sleeping giant is creeping ever closer.

Any year that plays host to a Rugby World Cup can usually be described as ‘defining’ for the major rugby-playing nations, but arguably for no country is 2015 as important as it is for the United States of America.

There is plenty of rugby union for fans around the world to debate this coming weekend. Talking Rugby Union have shared several articles this week, centred on Stuart Lancaster and his England team.

In stark contrast to Round 1, there are ten games in the November Internationals 2014 Round 2 and if you get through this round with a 100 per cent record then as Fitzy used to say, "full credit".

The November Internationals Round 1 went as predicted with wins for the All Blacks, Maori All Blacks and the Wallabies, but these matches were more a celebration of rugby than the results.

The All Blacks easily defeated the USA Eagles 74-6 in an exhibition game at Soldier Field, Chicago, was this the promotion that rugby or even AIG wanted?

There are only three games in the November Internationals 2014 Round 1 and only one of these is a test match. You could say it is the calm before the storm.

American players on the books of Aviva Premiership clubs will be released to play against New Zealand in a fixture on 1st November.

Saracens have signed US Eagles hooker Phil Thiel as short-term cover for Schalk Brits, who is on Rugby Championship duty with South Africa.

Edinburgh RUFC have said their squad for the coming season is now complete with the signing of USA Eagles winger Brett Thompson.

London Scottish have today secured the exciting signature of USA Eagles forward Tai Tuisamoa on a one-year contract.

Rugby World Champions New Zealand will play the United States in Chicago in November, it has been announced.

Glasgow Warriors have signed United States centre Folau Niua until the end of the season.

The November Autumn Rugby Internationals Round 4 features ten mouth-watering matches including the All Blacks vs Ireland match which is sure to see history made

Rugby is often referred to as a global game, implying its tentacles stretch into every continent. In fact, it is global in appeal but it is far from globally competitive.

One of the predominant goals of the International Rugby Board is to ensure the global growth of the game, with particular emphasis on emerging nations.

The USA Eagles had only recorded two victories at Rugby World Cups prior to this year's tournament but with playing numbers on the rise in the country, an increasing number of players carving out a career in some of the biggest leagues in the world and with former Irish head coach Eddie O'Sullivan at the helm, hopes were high for an impressive showing.

Adam Ashley-Cooper scored a wonderful second half hat-trick as the Wallabies withheld some early pressure to win comfortably against the USA.

The Wallabies have rung the changes with David Pocock still out and Drew Mitchell replacing James O'Connor with Adam Ashley Cooper switching from left to right wing.

In what can only be described as torrential weather conditions, the USA grabbed their first victory of the World Cup against dogged debutants Russia.