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Mike Petri will return for a second season of Major League Rugby. The former US Eagles scrumhalf headlines a second group of returning players confirmed by Rugby United New York. Also named are prop James Rochford, second row Trevor Cassidy, and outside backs Mike St. Claire and Connor Wallace-Sims.
Petri rolled back the years in 2019 as he captained RUNY to a Semi Final appearance in their first season of MLR. The 35-year-old started appeared in all 17 matches, starting 15. His form earned him a spot in the extended Eagles squad for the World Cup, though he did not ultimately travel to Japan.
A newcomer to New York, Rochford proved one of the top signings in the league after starting every match during the season. The 27-year-old Ireland native showed his versatility by playing on both sides of the scrum and earned a reputation as a canny set piece operator.
Like Petri, it was a return to form for hard-working lock Cassidy, 32, after a long struggle with injury. He formed an effective partnership with Eagles select Nate Brakeley during the season. The 6’4″ (1.93m) forward faces a new challenge for a starting role this season in Ireland u20 recruit Cormac Daly.
The 30-year-old St. Claire impressed in his first season of professional rugby. Splitting his time between inside center and right wing, he scored three tries in eight starts. St. Claire recently made his international debut for Jamaica at the AFI Sevens.
English-born Wallace-Sims was a staple on the left wing, starting 15 games. His eight tries were second only to Dylan Fawsitt. The 24-year-old has represented the USA on the World Sevens Series and should be a front-runner for a starting role in what is becoming a star-studded New York backline for 2020.
