USA Rugby keen on making Pro12 entry

USA Rugby chairman Bob Latham has assured that the board is open for any discussion to include an East Coast-based team in the Pro12 league.

Pro12 currently features teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy and in an attempt to compete with the Aviva Premiership and the Top14 leagues, the board is considering to expand the league into the United States which was confirmed by the Irish Rugby Football Union CEO Philip Browne.

Latham told ESPN that the discussions of entering Pro12 are at the preliminary stage and once they receive a formal proposal, the USA Rugby will weigh their options.

"We're certainly very interested but we need to take a realistic look at the feasibility of it and we haven't crossed that fundamental step yet," said Latham.

"Those discussions are at a very early stage but we would certainly look at that and see if it makes sense.

"When we receive interest of that kind it is somewhat flattering that people want to enter the market here and we are interested in taking a look at anything that grows and encourages interest in the sport."

Citing the example of New York hosting London Irish and Saracens encounter, Latham believes the East Coast has a huge market for the sport. However, he also highlighted the practical difficulties which needs to be encountered.

"I'm not sure if we have any preconceived notions over how best to make it happen," Latham said.

"There will be travel issues so the East Coast makes sense but if you look at the timing of the PRO12 competition, it can be difficult to play in the North East part of the USA at that time of year.

"We have to balance the factor of where fans will turn out, where the weather will be conducive, where there's a likely fan base as well as the travel issues."