Want a more perfect union? Watch the Rugby World Cup | Martin Pengelly

The men's US Eagles failed to qualify but events in France will still give American rugby fans a chance to come together

On Friday, the 10th Rugby World Cup will kick-off in Paris with a monumental match-up, France against New Zealand, les Bleus against the All Blacks. Like most rugby fans in Washington, and across the US, I will be watching on TV.

With my sister-in-law, who played at Dartmouth, I'll be at the French embassy in Georgetown. We are promised a taste of the extraordinary atmosphere found at rugby matches at French stadiums". Lucky us. Less fortunately, the US men's team will also watch from these shores. The Eagles failed to qualify for France, losing out to Uruguay, Chile and Portugal. Nonetheless, American sports fans who do not know rugby should consider tuning in too.