The Utah Warriors have confirmed their on-field leadership for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. Bailey Wilson will continue as captain with Paul Lasike named vice-captain. At the same time two more forwards have been added to their roster, Takaji Young Yen and Jeremiah Noaese.
Wilson leads the team for a third consecutive year, having assumed the captaincy in the 2021 season at the age of just 21. The flanker will be looking to press his international claims this coming year. Eagles veteran Paul Lasike, Utah’s original captain in 2018, will act as Wilson’s top deputy.
Young Yen is Utah-born and makes the move from Auckland University in New Zealand. The 23-year-old tighthead prop played for the NZ Schools side alongside current All Blacks Dalton Papali’i and Sevu Reece. Most recently he took part in Utah’s Crossroads Cup.
Noaese also took part in the development competition. Originally from Tacoma, Washington, the strong-running No8 celebrates his 21st birthday in January. He was part of the USA Rugby High Performance training camp at Glendale in 2021.