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The San Diego Legion continue to trickle out their roster for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. Three more players have been confirmed since Ben Mitchell’s re-signing was announced on Monday, along with a new member of the coaching staff. Meanwhile some other notables have left the team.
Jack Wiggins has been hired as the new Defense Coach and Academy Director. Originally from England, he arrives from Hong Kong where he was head Coach of HKFC and an assistant with the national team. He was also previously a coach with the South China Tigers in Global Rapid Rugby. Wiggins joins Danny Lee and Scott Murray on the Legion’s staff.
New arrivals to the playing roster are second row Jale Railala and winger Tomas Aoake. Railala, 25, has represented the Fiji Warriors and was contracted to Glasgow Warriors but did not make an appearance for the club after suffering a shoulder injury. Aoake is 26 and has five seasons of experience in New Zealand provincial rugby, most recently with North Harbour.
Officially re-signed is former Eagles eightman Tevita Tameilau, who turns 32 on Saturday. He captained the Legion on three occasions last season. Unconfirmed returnees but currently in attendance at training are hooker Chris Schade and flanker duo Chris Turori and Derrick Broussard.
Heading to Texas are a trio of front rowers. Loosehead prop and new USA Eagles cap Faka’osi Pifeleti has signed on with the Austin Gilgronis, while hooker Dean Muir and tighthead prop Aaron Mitchell are off to the Houston SaberCats.
Former Penn State hooker Thomas Capriotti, selected in the 2021 Collegiate Draft, has now moved to Old Glory DC. Meanwhile winger Cole Zarcone, a draft pick in 2020, has now been confirmed by the Seattle Seawolves. Zarcone made six appearances for the Legion last season.
EDIT: San Diego have also acquired hooker Dillon Shotwell from the SaberCats. He has previously represented USA u20s and was selected in the third round of the 2021 Collegiate Draft by Houston.
