North America's first ever professional rugby union league is set to begin in the US in April 2016.

USA Rugby and World Rugby have sanctioned the league, which will feature six city-based teams in the Northeast, the Rocky Mountains and California, before Canadian sides join in 2017.

Venues and coaches will be announced shortly, while each team will be allowed no more than five non-North American players.

USA Rugby and World Rugby have sanctioned North America's first ever professional rugby union league

'As the fastest growing team sport in the USA, it is time to have a sanctioned professional competition,' said USA Rugby chairman Bob Latham.

'We are very happy to partner with the Professional Rugby Organisation (Pro Rugby) in taking this step to popularise the game, to inspire Americans to fall in love with rugby, and to show the rugby world what American players can do.'

The teams will play 10 regular-season games each between April and July, accommodating the USA's June Tests. Broadcast plans and sponsors have yet to be confirmed.

The national team lost all its games at the recent World Cup in England, as did Canada's, and attempts to bring professional rugby to the US have been made before.

USA Rugby chairman Bob Latham says rugby union is the fastest growing team sport in the nation

Most recently, the National Rugby Football League was set up in Minnesota in 2014. Most of the players being courted to participate are former professionals from the NFL, NBA and NHL.

However, a proposed match against the Aviva Premiership's Leicester Tigers in august was cancelled after the NRFL failed to apply for USA Rugby sanctioning.

'Rugby is a natural fit for our country,' Doug Schoninger, PRO Rugby CEO added.

'Participation and interest in the sport is at an all-time high and the demand for a professional competition is clear.'