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As expected, the Seattle Seawolves have confirmed the return of Canadian international prop Jake Ilnicki for the 2020 Major League Rugby season. The team has also announced the signature of Seattle Saracens scrumhalf Jope Motokana.
Ilnicki, 27, now has 38 test caps to his name after participating in his second World Cup with Canada in Japan. He was a late arrival for the Seawolves in 2019, joining the team for the last five games of the season after securing an early release from Yorkshire Carnegie.
The tighthead specialist gives Seattle three high quality options on the right side of the front row along with Australia age-grade international Tim Metcher and USA Select XV rep John Hayden. Still to be confirmed from the 2019 roster are US Eagles loosehead Olive Kilifi and reserve hooker Dan Trierweiler.
Motakana fills a considerable gap in the Seawolves roster following the effective retirement of Phil Mack. With the Canada star taking on a full-time coaching role in 2020, Motokana will offer specialist cover for starting scrumhalf JP Smith.
This is the second professional assignment for the 26-year-old Motokana. He started three games for the Sacramento Express during the 2016 PRO season. Born in Fiji, he moved to Seattle at a young age and has since been a standout with the Saracens while earning selection to the USA Falcons Sevens side.
