MLR Notes: Hoyland to DC, Landry to Chicago, SD confirms seven

Old Glory have snatched up another Scotland international for the 2024 Major League Rugby campaign. Damien Hoyland follows Rob Harley to the nation’s capital, arriving directly from the United Rugby Championship after spending a decade playing professionally with Edinburgh.

A wing or fullback, the 29-year-old Hoyland starred with Scotland’s u20 side and made the immediate jump to the World Sevens Series in 2014. He would make his senior test debut against Italy in 2015, and won the most recent of his five caps as a replacement against Australia in October of last year.

Also confirmed by DC is the return of Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz. The powerful US Eagles No8 was named club captain by departed coach Josh Syms last season though Canadian lock Kyle Baillie assumed the match-day role after arriving halfway through the campaign.

Ben Landry won’t be hanging up the boots just yet. After departing Seattle, the big lock has put pen to paper with the Hounds. It will be a much shorter commute for the 32-year-old, who runs his family business just a couple hours north of Chicago in Wisconsin.

The worst-kept secret of the off-season is finally official as the Hounds have also confirmed the addition of new USA international Nick McCarthy. A former Ireland u20 cap, the 28-year-old scrumhalf was born in Michigan and made over 80 pro appearances playing for Munster and more recently Leinster.

San Diego have confirmed seven returning players for the new campaign. Back in search of a title are hooker Sean McNulty, second row Isaac Ross, back rows Tupou Afungia and Tevita Tameilau, flyhalf Josh Henderson, midfielder Alex Horan, and outside back Mikey Te’o.

The Arrows coaching announcement seems to be delayed but there is a steady stream of re-signings. Four of their top young players are back in 2024, namely tighthead prop Tyler Rowland, scrumhalf Cole Brown, center Liam Bowman, and versatile back Ciaran Breen. Rowland is already an established Canadian test player with the other three age-grade internationals.

Also in re-signing news, the Jackals have confirmed the return of Juan Pablo Zeiss. The former Pumas international has been arguably the league’s best tighthead prop over the past couple seasons with his strong all-around ability. Zeiss follows extensions signed by Liam Murray, Sam Golla, and countrymen Jerónimo Gómez Vara, Pedro Imhoff, and MartÍn ElÍas.

On the departures front, Houston have said goodbye to Dillon Smit. Their first choice scrumhalf for the past two years, his game time was limited this past year and he has now opted to retire ahead of his 31st birthday. Smit will take up a coaching position at one of South Africa’s top high school programs.

Sticking around for another year though is midfielder Louritz van der Schyff. With Davy Coetzer and Dom Akina also set to return and AJ Alatimu incoming from Seattle, the Cats look to have a very strong 10-12-13 and 22 set of backs for their match day squad in 2024.

Also calling it quits at just 27 years old is Utah center Calvin Whiting. The USA international from South Africa has been a regular starter for the Warriors for the past four seasons but will now pursue opportunities outside of rugby. Utah should still be in a position of strength in the midfield with Eagles duo Paul Lasike and Mika Kruse returning.

There is good news for developing MLR talent. The USA Hawks will continue in 2024. Interim Eagles coach Scott Lawrence confirmed that the program will again be based in Charlotte, but will start in January this time with a focus on the u23 age group and US-eligible draftees. Some of those players are already in camp with the USA Academy group who are playing some scrimmages and exhibition matches against American Rugby Premiership sides.

Jumping back to Hoyland, the DC signing was one of three MLR players-to-be who suited up for the famous Barbarians invitational side against Munster this past weekend. The others were Miami-bound front rowers Rob Evans and Kirby Myhill.