Rugby hopes World Cup will win over Americans

Rugby union is about to get its best shot at hitting the big time in America. The USA Eagles are playing in the Rugby World Cup, which kicks off Friday in Britain. About 1.2 million people play rugby in U.S. every year. National Rugby Football League is preparing for launch in 2017.

Rugby is going to be played in the Olympics next year. The NRFL is looking for buyers for six to 12 teams. New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas are likely to buy teams for the league.

The Minneapolis-based league needs cash to fuel its ambitions. No teams have been sold yet, and no TV networks have signed up to show games. Rugby Sevens will make its debut at the Rio Olympics. The Rugby World Cup is the biggest single sporting event by ticket sales after FIFA's soccer World Cups. Around 6.6 million people play rugby union worldwide. It is popular in parts of Europe, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and island nations in the South Pacific.