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The Utah Warriors have revealed the first 31 names of their roster for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. Confirmed are the departures of several prominent names while six overseas players have been signed in addition to three Collegiate Draft picks.
Joining previously confirmed Alex Tucci, Matt Jensen, Aston Fortuin, and Fraser Hurst on the departures list are four of last season’s starters. Hooker Sama Malolo has returned to Australia with Michael Baska leaving for France. Flyhalf Hagen Schulte has called time on his professional rugby career and winger Josh Whippy has been released.
Also released is veteran winger Tonata Lauti while midfielder Derek Ellingson will undergo a season-long rehabilitation program of a long-standing injury. Breakout center or wing Logan Tago has been provisionally included though he may ultimately stick with the USA Eagles on the World Sevens Series.
Arriving from Auckland to bolster the second row is former New Zealand u20 representative Jamie Lane, 25, an experienced campaigner in the National Provincial Championship. At just 21 years old Australian import Reagan Leslie is something of an unknown but is an imposing physical specimen. Lane and Leslie stand 6’6″ (1.98m) and 6’7″ (2.01m) respectively.
There are two new scrumhalves. Niall Saunders is a 23-year-old former Ireland u20 cap who spent two years in the English Premiership with Harlequins. Health problems initially saw him retiring last year but he seems to have overcome the challenge and returns to the pro ranks after 18 months in the rugby wilderness. Fijian age-grade star Jone Vatuwaliwali, 21, would have played at the Junior World Championship last year had the tournament not been cancelled.
Ireland u19 international Mick O’Gara joins from the Leinster academy as an option at flyhalf or inside center. He is just 21 years old and most notably is US-qualified. Former New Zealand u20 starter Caleb Makene made his Super Rugby debut for the Highlanders earlier this year and most recently suited up for Hawke’s Bay in the NPC. He is set to play at fullback with Mike Te’o moving to the wing. Makene is also a capable flyhalf.
Formally confirmed as joining the squad are Utah’s three draft picks. Joey Backe continues his full-time conversion to hooker and recently played for the USA Selects at the Americas Pacific Challenge. Canada u20 cap Emerson Prior, a loosehead prop previously in the Arrows academy, sharpened his skills in recent weeks with the Pacific Pride in the inaugural Coastal Cup, and English-born fullback Connor Burns was a Rudy Scholz nominee as one of the USA’s top college rugby players. He will be considered an import initially but should qualify for the Eagles on residency in time for the 2023 season.
Further additions will be made prior to the season with approximately 10 roster spots still to be filled, though they are expected to be largely local graduates of the Warriors Selects development program. A detailed squad list for the 2022 MLR season can be seen here.
