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The Utah Warriors can tie a club record if they can pull off their fifth win in a row at Segra Field on Saturday. Old Glory DC won’t have any interest in taking part of that bit of trivia, and are themselves looking to step up in a highly competitive Eastern Conference playoff race.
A 3-5 record doesn’t scream contenders but DC have secured a league-high 8 bonus points and are one of four teams fighting over two postseason spots. They brought an end to a three-game losing streak with a strong victory over defending champions New York last Sunday.
There are just two changes to the lineup. Canadian international Kyle Baillie jumps straight in at lock after arriving at training this week, with Fintan Coleman dropping to the bench. Fermín Martínez is ruled out after taking a head knock against the Ironworkers so it’s Thretton Palamo starting in the midfield with Marcos Young among the reserves.
Utah have a chance to head into their bye week on a major high if they can find victory on the East Coast. While the win over the Seawolves was impressive, Greg Cooper would have preferred if they did not let the visitors claw back a second bonus point late in the game.
The only changes are in the second row, where Saia Uhila sits out with a one-week suspension and Onehunga Havili is sidelined after failing an HIA against Seattle. Returning from two games out with concussion is Jamie Lane, while Jurie van Vuuren is back in the run-on side. Jonah Dietenberger could make his club debut as a replacement.
Both teams are built for running rugby but the rainy forecast could favor a more tactical approach. DC’s best kicker Tito Díaz Bonilla has been left on the bench, with Joel Hodgson offering a more versatile approach to Gradyn Bowd. Baillie helps Old Glory’s pack but similarly Lane’s presence is a significant boost for the Warriors lineout.
Remarkably the two previous encounters were split and decided by only one point on each occasion. Old Glory memorably snapped a 9-game losing streak against Utah last year, and can play spoilers again. This is a confident Warriors side, however, who have had an extra day’s rest to prepare. Take the visitors in a physical contest.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, 1pm Mountain, noon Pacific. Local broadcasts will be available on KMYU and KSL Sports in Utah and MASN in the nation’s capital, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
OLD GLORY DC
1 Jack Iscaro, 2 Nic Souchon, 3 Kyle Stewart, 4 Collin Grosse, 5 Kyle Baillie, 6 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz (capt.), 7 Lautaro Bavaro, 8 Langilangi Haupeakui, 9 Danny Tusitala, 10 Gradyn Bowd, 11 Junior Sa’u, 12 Thretton Palamo, 13 William Talataina, 14 Peni Lasaqa, 15 Kurt Baker
Replacements: 16 Facundo Gattas, 17 Quentin Newcomer, 18 Cali Martinez, 19 Fintan Coleman, 20 Alejo Daireaux, 21 John LeFevre, 22 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, 23 Marcos Young
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Olive Kilifi, 2 Tuvere Vugakoto, 3 Paul Mullen, 4 Jurie van Vuuren, 5 Jamie Lane, 6 Bailey Wilson (capt.), 7 Lance Williams, 8 Thomas Tu’avao, 9 Connor McLeod, 10 Joel Hodgson, 11 Joe Mano, 12 Tyler Fisher, 13 Mika Kruse, 14 Caleb Makene, 15 Cliven Loubser
Replacements: 16 Joey Backe, 17 Franco van den Berg, 18 Angus MacLellan, 19 Jonah Dietenberger, 20 Jeremiah Noaese, 21 Zion Going, 22 Calvin Whiting, 23 Logan Tago
Date: Saturday, April 22
Venue: Segra Field, Leesburg
Kickoff: 15:00 local (12:00 Pacific, 13:00 Mountain)
Broadcasts: KMYU, KSL Sports, MASN, The Rugby Network
Referee: Cam Stone (New Zealand)
Assistants: Ian Seaton (USA) & Aaron Davis (USA)
TMO: Chris Assmus (Canada)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-04-15 – Old Glory DC 22, Utah Warriors 21 (Segra Field)
2021-05-08 – Utah Warriors 34, Old Glory DC 33 (Zions Bank Stadium)
