TAILGATING HAS LONG been a tradition of American Football fans before a big, medium or pee-wee match.

Supporters roll into car parks early in the AM and set up all manner of barbecues, gazebos, awnings and benches for get-togethers of the charred meat and beer variety.

This summer, with Ireland arriving in Houston to take on the US Eagles in an international rugby Test match, USA Rugby is hosting an Inaugural Tailgating Contest.

Supporters of both sides have been invited to enter into a competition to decide what team hosts the best shindig. The US Rugby site states, “The event, which will award the grand prize presented by Kroger and Southern Comfort to the top tailgating team, will take place in parking lots adjacent to the stadium.”

‘Ireland, Ireland, together standing tall…’ (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)

Irish fans, at home and based in the United States, have until 31 May to enter a team into the contest.

With Les Kiss leading Ireland, as interim head coach, and a strong squad heading to Houston to take on the Eagles, nothing would spur them on more (we’re sure) than being cheered on by a champion tailgate team that have been slugging beers for 10 hours before kick-off.

Hopefully, these two legends, who appeared at the World Cup in 2011 to cheer on the USA, show up:

YouTube credit: US Embassy Wellington

We hope Eddie O’Sullivan never used this US Eagle as a job reference

3 Irish families had the British and Irish Lions over for dinner last night