USA to host Ireland
Cana
The USA will host Ireland in a Rugby League international in early spring 2011.
A final date has yet to be determined, but the game is likely to be played on or around Saturday, March 19 in Philadelphia, PA, to coincide with St Patrick’s Day.
A number of players are expected to be added to an extended Tomahawks squad to prepare prior to the full player pool being named in February. The squad is likely to comprise most of the players who took part in last month’s successful Atlantic Cup.
“2011 will be an important year for the AMNRL and rugby league in the USA,” said American National Rugby League president David Niu.
“The Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers in October will be our best chance ever to qualify for the full RLWC in 2013 in Europe.”
The USA has a 4-2 all-time record against Ireland.
The Irish won the first two encounters in 1995 and 1996, before the Tomahawks rattled off the next four straight in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
For the most part, the margin of victory by either team was by four points or less except for the last match when the Tomahawks posted a 41-10 decision.