The Royal Engineers Rugby Club embarked on a challenging tour to USA’s ‘Deep South’ with MSG. Having conquered New Zealand, South Africa and Australia on prior trips, the cycle included one of America’s up-and-coming rugby centres on a 12-day, 3-game pilgrimage.

Through our partnership with British Airways, the ‘Sappers’ kicked off the trip in Nashville, Tennessee against a combination side excited about hosting the UK Army’s most successful Corps sides. The squad visited iconic music attractions such as The Johnny Cash Museum, Country Music Hall of Fame prior to a journey south of the city to take in the Jack Daniel’s Distillery.

Match 2 took place in Memphis after an afternoon at the famed Graceland mansion. Beale Street and nearby Sun Studios were perfectly poised to continue the squad’s southern education in this fascinating musical city.

Last, but certainly not least, lay the wonderful New Orleans and the team’s toughest opposition. The city’s eponymous club merged squads with Nola Gold – the Major League Rugby side – to provide a testing opposition in late afternoon sunshine. There was, of course, time to experience the city’s famed swamp tours and soak up all that Bourbon Street had to offer in this 24h city.

Major Steve Smith, co-tour leader describes the trip as a “challenge that the whole Corps were excited for, mixing entertaining cities with challenging rugby in hot and humid conditions”.