The Irish Rugby Football Union has formed a new partnership with the University of Notre Dame with a view to promoting rugby and sharing expertise.

The partnership offers the IRFU an opportunity to push its brand stateside while also sharing knowledge surrounding player development, coaching and conditioning, sports medicine and psychology.

The IRFU will aid the University's rugby aspirations while it will collaborate with Notre Dame's coaching and sports science programmes.

With the Irish-American community numbering 33 million stateside, the IRFU say it sees the U.S. as a "home-away-from-home and will seek to develop new commercial relationships as its brand and fan-base grow".

"We look forward to playing a full part in helping develop the strength of Notre Dame rugby and the culture of the sport at the University," Stephen Hilditch, IRFU president, said. "We are convinced that will, in turn, help drive the popularity of the sport throughout and beyond the collegiate system in a nation which continues to demonstrate its interest in rugby.

"Our association with 'The Fighting Irish' is hugely appropriate and we will do all we can to help Notre Dame's teams fulfil their potential and reach their ultimate ambition of becoming collegiate champions.

"The United States also represents a huge potential market for Irish Rugby and the Partnership is a key element of a broader strategy to build awareness and create real engagement with existing and potential rugby fans among the 10.3 percent of the US population with Irish roots.

"They are first and foremost proud Americans but we will embrace and value their support."

Justin Hickey, director of rugby at the University of Notre Dame, added: "The partnership with the Irish Rugby Football Union marks the beginning of a new era for rugby at Notre Dame and throughout the United States.

"By working closely and sharing information and expertise, techniques and processes, both parties will grow together towards achieving their particular goals.

"Notre Dame's renowned expertise in player development, sports medicine and other areas on and off the field will help strengthen the Irish teams while working closely with Ireland's coaches and support staff, who are among the best in the world, will help elevate Notre Dame rugby to new levels and, in doing so, raise the standards across collegiate rugby."