Are Americans Falling In Love With Rugby?

17,214 people went to Houston last Saturday and broke an attendance record. Now, it might sound like a rather measly sum of individuals, but it was a very important record that showed that a certain sport was beginning to make inlays in the US.

The sport in question is Rugby and there is now enough evidence to suggest that it's becoming more and more popular amongst Americans.

Against Italy, the US succumbed to a 30-10 defeat but they showed that they could genuinely compete against a far superior team in the first half, only to have two players sent off and lose their focus in the second.

However over the next few years there are ample opportunities for Americans to see their team grow and the countries governing body for the sport, USA Rugby, will be praying that more more fans get into the game.

In 2013, Ireland are coming to America to compete in a game with the Scots visiting the year after,and a discussion will need to be made as to whether they should play these encounters in larger venues to lure in more attendees.

This is all in preparation for the Olympic games in Rio in 2016 where the Rugby sevens will compete for a medal, which is a bastardization of the real sport. But if the Americans were able to get onto the podium in four years time this could be used a real springboard to unleash the fifteen-man game on the country.

Of course, many will believe that the competition of American Football will stave off a sport that slightly resembles it, but Rugby is a lot more intense, aggressive and tougher than it's U.S. counterpoint.

And there is always room for an extra sport in a country that is perpetually looking for an other competitive game to devour. It'll be interesting to see how the next few months and years progress for the sport.