USA Rugby remakes leprechaun-less Ireland V USA promo after complaints

Image: Screenshots of the original trailer (left) and the newer promo (right).

Rugby is still a niche sport in the USA compared to its body-armour-clad cousin of American football. So the team behind the big USA v Ireland game in Texas on June 8 are keen to promote the clash and get the word out.

Their first attempt at a promo video, however, caused some stir among the first-generation Irish. The images of 'Lucky the Leprechaun' being thwarted by Todd Clever, captain of the US Rugby Union team, didn't portray the Irish in the best light, despite defeating the USA comfortably during their last outing.

Some of those in US Rugby weren't happy with the finished product though, and immediately began making a new promo that abandoned the stereotypical costumes entirely, and substituted the mock-Irish players for actual footage of the Irish in action.

Of course, not everyone had a problem with the original trailer, either, seeing it as a bit of fun. The Irish Rugby Football Union included.

Hey @usarugby your promo video is working. Bit of fun. People are talking about it! :-) lets hope they all get along to the game! #USAvsIRE

— Irish Rugby (@irfurugby) May 2, 2013

So what do you think? Was the original just a bit of fun, or is the new one better?

Tickets for the game in Houston start at $10 and can be bought from the stadium's website.

Categories: Ireland, USA, Rugby, Texas