New York, New York.

Major League Rugby (MLR) has announced that Rugby United New York (RUNY) will join the league from the beginning of 2019.

Former Ireland and USA head coach Eddie O’Sullivan will work with the new franchise as an advisor, as will former Leinster, Ireland and Lions winger Shane Horgan.

The inaugural season of the MLR gets underway with seven teams in April, with New York set play an exhibition schedule in 2018 before they enter the league officially next year.

RUNY will join Austin Elite, Glendale Raptors, Houston SaberCats, NOLA Gold, San Diego Legion, Seattle Seawolves and Utah Warriors in the newly-founded USA-based professional rugby league.

“It is incredibly exciting to see a professional rugby club launching in the greater New York area,” said Eddie O’Sullivan

“It is a rugby region with immense potential and it is hugely encouraging the vision involves building a franchise from the grassroots upwards engaging age-grade, university and club rugby. I have no doubt it will play a key role in bringing USA Rugby to the next level.”