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USA vs. England Rugby Match
What: USA Rugby Select XV vs. England Counties XV rugby match
When: June 6, 2008 at 7:00PM
Where:: Columbia University’s Baker Field (533 W. 218th St.)

The USA Rugby Select XV team, comprised of up-and-coming rugby players from the Rugby Super League and national championship teams, faced off against the England Counties XV, a developmental squad for the England National Team that features young professional players, at Columbia University’s Baker Field. In a competitive bout, the heavily-favored England squad was able to build on an early lead to emerge victorious by a score of 27-3.

The England Counties XV were in New York as part of a three-match tour of North America that also featured a stop in Canada. The exhibition match was held in conjunction with the Mayor’s Cup Rugby Tournament to kick off New York City’s first ever Rugby Week—a series of events aimed at raising the awareness of rugby and developing the sport at the grassroots level.

Admission to the event was free of charge, but donations were accepted to benefit Play Rugby USA, a New York based youth educational and athletic program. Play Rugby USA started in 2004 with 75 children from a homeless shelter in Brooklyn. The following year, Play Rugby USA began their school-based program and has since grown to support programs in more than 50 schools throughout all five boroughs. The program is now a fully integrated youth development program that has positively influenced over 5,000 children. Play Rugby USA continues to grow around the nation with offices in San Francisco, CA and Portland, OR with additional offices opening in Philadelphia, PA and Washington D.C. in late 2008.

To maximize Rugby Week's experience for participants and fans, Play Rugby USA launched www.playrugbyclub.com. The Play Rugby Club is a free and secure online learning social network that provides event updates, video footage and photos from National Rugby Week's New York activities as well as discussion forums and real-time blogs from professional Play Rugby USA coaches. One of the main features of the site is an International PenPal program that enables students to connect and build relationships with students from other rugby playing schools and nations around the world. The unique site integrates into the Play Rugby USA's after school program for member schools.

For more information, please visit www.usarugby.com or www.playrugbyusa.com .

Last Updated On: Wednesday, June 11, 2008

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