World Rugby’s ambition to crack the US market may be accelerated by a rights deal struck between the governing body and large American broadcaster NBC.

The seven-year partnership sees NBC snag the exclusive rights to international events, including the World Cup 2019 and Women’s World Cup 2017.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018, due to be hosted in San Francisco, California, is also part of the broadcast deal.

According to World Rugby, there are 40m sports fans in the US and the deal will provide a “platform for rugby to reach and engage” that group.

Bill Beaumont, chair of World Rugby, said the that the US was “one of the fastest-growing markets” for rugby participation and fan growth.

“This deal represents a significant uplift on previous deals in the US, reflecting the ever-increasing stature of rugby within what is arguably the most competitive commercial marketplace for sport,” added the organisation’s chief executive Brett Gosper.

NBC Sports currently hosts Premiership Rugby, and the chief executive of the competition Mark McCafferty said the US was his number one target in terms of creating a booming international audience.

Several in-season fixtures have been played in the US over the last few years, and the Newcastle Falcons have confirmed that the team will play Saracens in a similar fixture in Philadelphia in September.