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Rugby ATL have said their goodbyes to six players who will not be returning in 2023. John Sullivan and Connor Cook have confirmed their retirements from professional rugby, while Marko Janse van Rensburg, Justin Basson, Evan Mintern, and Eamonn Matthews will move on to different clubs.
Sullivan has hung up the boots at the age of just 29. Formerly a back row, he made the successful switch to loosehead prop while with NOLA in 2020. This past year he again changed gears and featured largely at tighthead with ATL, making 16 appearances with 7 starts.
Cook is 31 and a former Collegiate All-American. He played three seasons with the Raptors before joining ATL ahead of the 2021 season, where he settled in as a starting flanker alongside captain Matt Heaton. Many consider Cook to be unlucky not to have achieved full Eagles honors.
van Rensburg has proven one of the best hookers in Major League Rugby over the past two campaigns. He played 30 games for the Ratlers in that time and scored a remarkable 18 tries. The 31-year-old has returned to his native South Africa to sign with the Cheetahs, recently playing against the USA Falcons.
Basson has also gone back to South Africa. The 28-year-old lock was a key component of the pack that led ATL to their second consecutive Eastern Conference Final in 2022. He started 15 games with 13 starts, and has now joined the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship.
Moving to Doncaster Knights of England’s RFU Championship is Evan Mintern. A former Ireland u20 international, the 26-year-old was a powerful ball-carrying option at lock or No8 this past year with a dozen appearances for ATL. He spent the previous season with New York.
Matthews was ATL’s third-choice scrumhalf. The 25-year-old has represented the USA at u20 level. He made his regular season debut in 2021 and played four games this past season including his first start. More recently Matthews has been suiting up for NYAC in the American Rugby Premiership.
