This is huge.

Rugby union’s latest move to crack the United Stated of America sees the Six Nations set to broadcast live on NBC from 2018 onwards. NBC’s Sports Group have announced a multi-year deal that will grant them exclusive coverage of the tournament in the United States.

There have been several attempts in recent years to grow rugby in the United States, but this latest move could prove to be a game changer. Just look at this year’s Six Nations and the excitement it brought.

While the Premiership, Champions Cup and PRO14 to a lesser extent, provide some entertaining viewing, nothing comes close to Six Nations rugby. Once the Americans get winds of this, there’s absolutely no doubt in our minds they’ll be hooked. England vs Ireland will be shown on their flagship channel as part of the deal, with a whopping reach of 300 million people.

Exciting times ahead.