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Rugby United New York have confirmed contract extensions for five returning players. Loosehead prop Anthony Parry, hooker Mike Brown, second row Matt Wirken, scrumhalf Marcus Walsh, and flyhalf Harry Bennett will suit up for the 2019 Semi Finalists in the 2020 Major League Rugby season.
Parry joined the team after a cameo appearance with the New England Free Jacks against the Arrows during the preseason. The 29-year-old would go on to play all but one regular season match for RUNY, starting three matches but primarily acting as second choice loosehead behind James Rochford.
One of three hookers competing for game time behind Eagles cap Dylan Fawsitt, Brown played just seven matches and saw little game time under departed coach Mike Tolkin. Now 28 years old, he will be hoping for more opportunities under new coach Greg McWilliams but faces competition from All-American addition Rob Irimescu.
It was also a supporting role given to Wirken, with Trevor Cassidy and Nate Brakeley the first choice lock pairing. Approaching his 30th birthday, Wirken joined the team in 2019 after spending the 2018 season with NOLA. The set piece specialist has been captaining the Kansas City Blues in the off-season.
The appointment of Mike Petri as captain prevented Walsh from getting more game time in 2019. He started in just two of his 13 appearances. Formerly with Connacht, Walsh will have another Irish scrumhalf as further competition in 2020 with Jason Higgins arriving from Cork Constitution.
Bennett, 29, suffered an injury during the preseason but managed to play nine games once recovered. He was second choice at No10 to Irish import Cathal Marsh while also covering fullback. Australian-born, Bennett is qualified for the USA on residency and was called up for the 2018 Americas Pacific Challenge but ultimately forced to withdraw.
