Before this week the most absurd away fixture in European club rugby history was probably Connacht’s 12,000-mile round trip to Siberia in November 2015. The Irish province did manage to beat their Challenge Cup opponents Enisei-STM in temperatures as low as -18C but a technical fault with a charter plane caused such travel chaos some players were stranded for days. “Energy levels at all time low … BO levels at an all-time high,” read the memorable tweet from the Connacht back-rower John Muldoon.
Once upon a time crossing the Severn Bridge was the most exotic cross-border club rugby experience available. Not any more. This week, Newcastle will abandon Kingston Park to face Saracens at the Talen Energy Stadium, a football stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania. On Sunday, in the unofficial Sir David Attenborough derby, the Cheetahs entertain Zebre of Italy in Bloemfontein. On Saturday, Leinster will meet the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth.
Related: Saracens to face Newcastle in Philadelphia under four-year US deal
Related: Mike Brown adds to condemnations of extending Premiership season
Continue reading...