The Rugby Showdown has officially announced that the second Golden Lions match on April 20th will now take place in Texas, with the exact city to be confirmed shortly.
The original schedule had the touring squad from Johannesburg, South Africa, travel to Vancouver to take on a North American All Stars squad consisting of several Canadian players. Fans in that region will have to wait until 2014, with the Rugby Showdown finalizing details for that tour.
The new location is an excellent choice, with international rugby being extremely well supported in the state of Texas. In 2001, South Africa played the USA Eagles in Houston with over 15,000 fans in attendance. Then last year when Italy took on the USA Eagles in Houston around 18,000 came out to support their country.
Additionally on June 8th, the USA Eagles will play Ireland at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston this year (buy tickets).
USA Rugby President and CEO, Nigel Melville, said: “We have established a great foundation for rugby in Houston with our previous match between the USA and Italy last year, welcoming a record-setting crowd of 18,000 people."
Tickets for the April 20th match in Texas will go on sale next week through the Rugby Showdown’s website.
Meanwhile, North American All Stars coach Mike Tolkin has released his 23-man roster, which will face the MTN Golden Lions at Titan Stadium, Cal State Fullerton, on April 13th at 7.30 p.m. Pacific Time.
Several Eagles will feature in this exciting match, including the most capped USA rugby player of all-time, Mike MacDonald. The Cal Berkeley prop was named Man of that Match following the USA's win against Russia in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Also returning to action is center, Troy Hall, who played for Atlantis during the Las Vegas 7s earlier this year.
“I'm looking forward to seeing Mike MacDonald back on the field. He's been able to recover over the past few months while training at Cal's great new facility. He's a tremendous leader and teacher for the young tight five especially, and can be an impact player. Troy Hall has always been a threatening runner, dangerous from anywhere. He has been class and quality everywhere he's played. His return to rugby is fantastic and I know he is excited to get back in the fold,” commented Tolkin.
Source : http://www.rugbyrugby.com/news/by_country/u_s/7009959/north_american_all_stars_roster_named