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Rugby United New York have announced the re-signing of five players for the 2020 Major League Rugby Season. Former England star Ben Foden is among them along with Eagles lock Nate Brakeley, flanker Alex MacDonald, and versatile backs Chris Mattina and Mark O’Keeffe.
Foden signed for the club from Northampton Saints and started 15 games for the club in their inaugural regular season campaign. The 34-year-old was initially selected as an outside center but quickly reverted to his more accustomed fullback spot. His billing as the top name at the club will be challenged by arriving French giant Mathieu Bastareaud in 2020.
An outstanding season from Brakeley, 30, earned him a spot in the USA’s World Cup squad, where he started two matches for the Eagles. He was a mainstay in RUNY’s engine room this past season, playing every minute of the 15 games he appeared in and captained the side against Austin in March.
Though ideally situated on the blindside flank, MacDonald spent a significant portion of the season at lock. He started eight matches and came off the bench in seven others. The 26-year-old has been working as part of the team’s office staff in the off-season as a Community Outreach Coordinator.
Mattina showed extraordinary value in 2019, starting games at flyhalf, right wing, fullback, and both center positions. The USA Sevens international also proved a useful goal kicker with 18 conversions, second only to regular flyhalf Cathal Marsh. At 26 he will be hoping to shed the utility label under new coach Greg McWilliams.
Splitting time between the midfield and wing, O’Keeffe was one of three Irish starters in the RUNY backs division along with Marsh and inside center Will Leonard. The 25-year-old scored four tries and sparked several others with line breaks. He welcomes former All-Ireland League opponent James Higgins to the team, O’Keeffe formerly of Lansdowne with Higgins hailing from Cork Constitution.
