Leicester Tigers have been forced to cancel a landmark fixture in the United States later this year, having been denied official approval by USA Rugby.

The Aviva Premiership side were due to play the first elite rugby match in the US during their pre-season programme, but the States' governing body refused to sanction the game.

Leicester would have faced a combined American team - the Rough Riders - in Philadelphia on 8 August, but those plans have now been dashed.

"Our experience in this case could lead you to question whether USA Rugby is more keen to protect its own commercial interests than to serve and promote the game of rugby as a whole in their country," BBC Sport quotes Tigers chief executive Simon Cohen as saying.

"Rugby is a rapidly growing game in the USA and the appearance of the Leicester Tigers would certainly have helped to create a buzz around the sport, together with NRFL's proposals for a professional game there."

Leicester finished the recent Aviva Premiership campaign in third place, before losing out to Bath Rugby in the playoff semi-finals.