Harlequins chief executive David Ellis says a pre-season tour to North America will be a unique occasion.

The club will fly to Philadelphia in August in a trip that will see them take on the USA, who are using the clash as a warm-up fixture for the 2015 World Cup.

It is the first time since the 1980s that Quins have toured Stateside.

Ellis said: “We have been working on this with USA Rugby for some time and everyone at the club is hugely excited about the tour to Philadelphia and this ground-breaking fixture with the USA.

“Harlequins is a globally recognised club and this match will help drive our global ambitions.

"Rugby in the USA is a sleeping giant and we are looking forward to being a part of this unique occasion as we begin to help develop the sport in America.”