Houston confirms seven returning players

The Houston SaberCats have confirmed the return of seven players to their team for the 2020 Major League Rugby season. Sam Windsor, Osea Kolinisau, Zach Pangelinan, Malacchi Esdale, Max Tacket, Kieran Farmer, and Joe Kelly join eight recruits to make a 15-strong backs division.

Windsor has been the face of the team for the past two seasons, playing 99% of all possible minutes between the two seasons. The 32-year-old flyhalf is MLR’s all-time regular season scoring leader and second only to Seattle’s Brock Staller in total points. He will be qualified to play for the USA on 3-year residency in January.

With the departure of Josua Vici to France, Kolinisau will be the lone Fijian in the SaberCats backline. He played 13 games in 2019, starting the season as an outside center but switched to fullback under interim coach Paul Emerick. The oldest player on the team at 34, he also helps coach the academy program.

Versatility has also been a theme for two-time US Eagles cap Pangelinan. The 31-year-old is primarily a fullback but also played both halfback positions in 2019. He played in all 16 games this past season, starting 13. The No15 shirt will be up for grabs in 2020 with Pangelinan, Kolinisau, and new recruit Matías Freyre all potential starters.

Esdale, 24, started the 2018 season as something of an unknown but has emerged as a first choice winger in both seasons. He scored 4 tries in 2019, second only to Windsor. The former collegiate football player will be looking to take another step up in 2020 to attract attention from national selectors.

Also entering his third season with the team is 21-year-old flyhalf Kieran Farmer. He has been Windsor’s understudy but made just two appearances despite earning Junior All-American honors in 2018. With 20-year-old scrumhalf Jake Christmann now on the roster, the SaberCats have one of the USA’s most promising halfback combinations.

Back for a second campaign are supporting cast members Tacket and Kelly. Tacket, 28, played in 10 games with 6 starts, playing both midfield positions in 2019. Kelly started the season opener against Austin and would play a further four games as a replacement. The 24-year-old is also a former Junior All-American and covers both wing and fullback.

The announcement also confirms the departure of Eagles winger Deion Mikesell. He joined the team from the Clermont Auvergne academy and started the last eight games of the season, scoring three tries. It’s not yet clear where the 22-year-old will land in 2020.