Harlequins to face USA in pre-season friendly

Harlequins will prepare for next season with a pre-season tour to Philadelphia culminating in a unique friendly against the USA at PPL Park on Sunday, August 30.
This match will be the first time Harlequins has toured America in the professional era, following tours in the 1970s and 80s.
The USA, currently ranked 16th in the world, will use this fixture as a warm-up to the World Cup where they will face Scotland, Japan, Samoa and South Africa in Pool B. This match holds extra significance for the hosts as it marks the 40th anniversary of USA Rugby and it will be played in the same venue that saw the Eagles host the Maori All-Blacks in 2013.
Harlequins Chief Executive, David Ellis said: “We have been working on this with USA Rugby for some time and everyone at the club is hugely excited about the tour to Philadelphia and this ground-breaking fixture with the USA.
“Harlequins is a globally recognised club and this match will help drive our global ambitions. Rugby in the USA is a sleeping giant and we are looking forward to being a part of this unique occasion as we begin to help develop the sport in America.”
USA Rugby Chief Executive Nigel Melville said: “We look forward to welcoming Harlequins to the USA this August; this fixture is an exciting opportunity for both teams involved. Philadelphia is truly a rugby hotbed and we are excited to be back. Harlequins will provide a stern opposition to the USA as we prepare for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.”