Aviva Premiership Rugby Football Union clubs Saracens FC as well as Harlequins FC will be among a host of clubs from England that will be keeping a close watch on a trial taking place in the United States of America which will see a number of American Football players who are keen on giving the Rugby Union game a try.
The trial will be taking place over a two day period on the 5th and 6th of April in the National Football League stadium of the Minnesota Vikings and overall, more than 180 athletes are set to attend the trial. Recently, Hayden Smith of Saracens FC left the club on a temporary basis to give the NFL a try and this could well see a reversal in that trend as well and the Harlequins FC as well as their London counterparts’ hierarchy are keen on making a splash across the pond.
Former Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan will be overseeing the trial in April and he has also tipped a number of players to make the grade in England as well as in Europe.
He stated that some of the players who are expected to come on trial are tremendous athletes who have just missed out on a professional contract with an NFL side by the skin of their teeth or have been cut out from their sides but still want to make it as a professional.
O’Sullivan also mentioned that most of them have not played rugby but having played in the NFL, they are aware of the game and being highly talented, it wouldn’t be too difficult in turning them into professional rugby players.
He confirmed scouts from Saracens FC as well as Harlequins FC and French club Grenoble are coming over and he expects more European clubs to send scouts too.