USA Rugby arrives in San Jose for a match with Italy
/Folau Niua of the Eagles fends off an opponent from South Africa in the 2015 Rugby World Cup in London. The U.S. will play Italy at Avaya Stadium this Saturday evening. (photo by Paul Gilham)
By Connor Buestad | Connor@Section925.com
This Saturday, June 18th, the USA rugby team will face off with Italy in a match at Avaya Stadium in San Jose. Saturday's event is a part of the the "Summer Series" which includes two matches in Northern California, the second of which will be on Saturday, June 25th in Sacramento versus Russia.
The U.S. side is coming off a five-match stretch in the Americas Rugby Championship that resulted in a second place finish for the Eagles. The Summer Series rugby event will give fans a better feel for new coach John Mitchell, who will be selecting his own roster for the first time at the helm.
Tickets to Saturday's match vs. Italy can be purchased here for what should be a great venue to watch rugby in. Fans who can't make it out to Avaya (also the home to this year's MLS All-Star Game vs. Arsenal) can watch the match on the Rugby Channel.
Bay Area rugby fans are used to being spoiled by getting to watch the National Champion CAL Bears, but now they will get to see the pros get after it on the the international level as well. Add this to the fact that the Olympics in Brazil are just around the corner to boot. CAL alum Danny Barrett will be suiting up for the USA in August as Rugby Sevens is set to make its first appearance in the Olympic Games. The last time rugby of any kind appeared in the Olympics, the United States outlasted France for the Gold Medal in the 1924 Paris games.
So get out there and enjoy the rugby coming your way. Draymond Green may very well be watching too.
