Leicester Tigers to play landmark US rugby match to mark National Rugby Football League launch

Leicester hope to help with the launch of a new league

(Getty)

10-times English champions Leicester Tigers are set to assist with the launch of a professional rugby union league in the United States by playing in an historic exhibition match.

Richard Cockerill's men will travel to Philadelphia on 8th August to play a 'combined' American team called the Rough Riders in the Independence Cup.

It will be the first time an elite rugby match has been played in the States by a professional side and will help launch the National Rugby Football League.

Leicester will face a team made up of former NFL stars, college American football players and collegiate, club and international rugby players.

Leicester Tigers are one of the most decorated clubs in European rugby (Getty)

The match is scheduled to be held at Lincoln Financial Field, where American football franchise the Philadelphia Eagles are based.

Eagles president Don Smolenski said: "This match kicks off the first rugby game for an elite US team against a historic rugby stalwart, the Leicester Tigers."

The match also offers the Aviva Premiership more promotion in a potentially lucrative US market.

Tigers chief executive Simon Cohen added: "Rugby is making massive strides there and the fixture will provide an excellent platform for the home-based players, and also for our squad as they prepare for a new season."