WATCH THE REPLAY: PRO Rugby makes its debut in the United States

Updated
Watch Live: PRO Rugby makes its debut in the United States
Watch Live: PRO Rugby makes its debut in the United States

**UPDATE: WATCH THE REPLAY OF SACRAMENTO'S WIN OVER SAN FRANCISCO FROM SUNDAY NIGHT IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE!**

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AOL.com is proud to announce its debut sports live stream on Sunday, April 17, when fans are set to celebrate the official launch of professional rugby in the United States. In the night game of the Professional Rugby Organization's opening day, Sacramento faces San Francisco in a heated rivalry match.

Be sure to tune in to AOL.com at 7 p.m. ET for all the PRO action.

PRO Rugby
PRO Rugby

RUGBY'S POPULARITY IS RAPIDLY GROWING

Rugby is a game of big athletes, no helmets, continuous action and hitting -- a lot of hitting. It requires tenacity and versatility, immense athleticism and endurance, proving to be the ultimate team sport which also meets specialization.

It has a rabid fan base in the United States, and has transformed into the fastest growing youth sport in the nation. With American fans having access to international competition on TV, the desire for more is always there.

In 2007, an estimated 4.2 billion people watched the Rugby World Cup. It is the fifth largest global team sport behind soccer, cricket, basketball and baseball.

Yet in spite of all its popularity around the world, it has no professional league in the U.S. or North America. Well, that is about to end.

Starting this Sunday, PRO Rugby officially launches in America. Five teams, five cities, over 100 of the best athletes in the world -- all converging on fields across the country.

PRO Rugby is the first team sport professional league to launch in the U.S. since Major League Soccer in 1993 and Major League Lacrosse in 2001.

Visit PRO Rugby's site and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

RUGBY  101
RUGBY 101

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