Rugby ATL makes first batch of signings

Incoming expansion side Rugby ATL has secured their first group of players for the 2020 Major League Rugby campaign. A signing ceremony took place on Sunday afternoon for a number of players with another two currently out on loan for the remainder of the 2019 season.

As expected the team will lean heavily on players from the highly successful Life Running Eagles program, finalists in seven consecutive D1A Collegiate Championships and champions in four of those including back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019. The team also runs a club side that recently captured the American Rugby Premiership crown against top amateur sides Old Blue, NYAC, and Mystic River.

The front row is bolstered with props Julian Montes and Life club captain Jamie Ferrante, and South African hooker Neethling Gericke.

An intriguing name with impressive athletic pedigree is Frederick Henry-Ajudua. A standout defensive end with North Carolina Central, he participated in a rookie camp with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguares in 2017 before being signed to a CFL contract by the Montreal Alouettes.

It’s worth nothing that Henry-Ajudua was a soccer player who moved to the USA from Nigeria at 16. In high school he was a kicker for the football team and didn’t play defense at all until being picked up as a walk-on at college. The 26-year-old is now intent on becoming a powerhouse flanker for Atlanta.

Maciu Koroi, a Junior and Collegiate All-American, is another impressive addition to the back row. Now 24 years old, the Fiji-born No8 has been a dominant ball carrier for the Running Eagles and was recently part of the USA Sevens development program.

Also signed up is versatile back Zander van Schalkwyk. The older of two brothers from the Life program, Zander has captained the club and provides utility value at flyhalf, center, or fullback.

Leinster u20 product Sean Coughlan is a strong runner who can play across the three-quarter line but projects as a midfielder. Bringing speed to the outside is Austin White, who has recently been spotted with the USA Falcons in South America earlier this year.

A notable addition from Arkansas State is outside center Zach Young. The Australia native was part of the USA Select XV team that traveled to the Americas Pacific Challenge last year.

[EDIT: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the four players below had signed with Rugby ATL. While they were present at the event, the team has confirmed they have not agreed professional terms at this time.]

Four players in attendance have yet to sign but are on ATL’s radar. Two of them are Life products who were in the USA’s senior training group for the Americas Rugby Championship. Duncan van Schalkwyk, who can play either halfback position, and outside back Harley Wheeler.

Athletic openside flanker Justin Johnson started for the USA u20’s last season. He won’t be part of the team in 2020 but could find a home at ATL in the future.

Also being eyed is highly rated Davenport loose forward Thomas Cheslek. An accomplished high school wrestler, he is a two-time Collegiate All-American who stands an imposing 6’4″ (1.93m).

Already locked in is Eagles prop Chance Wenglewski, the Lindenwood product who is currently on loan with Rugby United New York. Another international front rower is set to join after finishing the season with the NOLA Gold – former Life prop or hooker Alex Maughan.

Rugby ATL have confirmed their coaching staff led by former Eagles flanker Scott Lawrence. His attack coach will be international flyhalf Nese Malifa, with current Life head coach Blake Bradford looking after the forwards. The team manager is Jorge Novoa, who previously filled the same role with the Uruguayan national team.

Unlike their fellow incoming sides Old Glory DC and the New England Free Jacks, the Atlanta side has opted not to play any spring exhibition matches. They will instead continue scouting for talent, with an upcoming combine to be held at the University of Notre Dame on June 9.