MLR Notes: Roach to San Diego, new coach for Sharks, and more

The Legion have found their new hooker for the 2024 Major League Rugby season. Hugh Roach has been acquired from Chicago in a straight swap for scrumhalf Jason Higgins. The former fills the enormous gap left by the departures of both Sama Malolo and Shilo Klein to Super Rugby.

Roach has been a standout performer for the past three MLR campaigns, first with Austin before following Sam Harris to the Hounds. He was hampered by injury last year that limited the Super Rugby veteran to just six games. San Diego will be hoping for better in 2024. Supporting Roach in San Diego will be returnee Sean McNulty and new signing Cyrille Cama.

Higgins has spent the past two seasons in San Diego after spending the 2021 campaign with the Arrows. The 28-year-old Canadian international saw his playing time reduced this past year with the arrival of Richard Judd at the Legion. His spot on the squad is expected to be filled by Nick Boyer, who has been tipped to make a return to San Diego from Houston.

The trade is a surprise to Chicago fans given Roach was their first choice No2 and the club already has a presumptive starter at scrumhalf in Nick McCarthy. It also means at least one, and possibly two, of their three scrumhalves from this past season will move on. Michael Baska is currently touring with the Eagles along with McCarthy. Sidney Shoop and Sean Yacoubian are the others, and also US-eligible.

In other news for the Legion, the club has snapped up flyhalf Harris Rutherford from Scotland’s age-grade system. The 20-year-old arrives from Gala and played for the Southern Knights in the Scottish Super Series. He was selected for the u20 Six Nations but did not make a match day appearance. Rutherford is notably US-eligible through his grandmother and his signing suggests he could be available for Eagles selection sooner than later.

The Sharks have added a second Assistant Coach ahead of their inaugural campaign. Former Eagles select Tui Osborne joins Oscar Durán on José Pellicena’s staff. Osborne, 42, is currently Head Coach of St. Bonaventure and will stick with the team through their fall campaign before heading south to Fort Lauderdale. Miami notably selected Bonnies lock Rick Rose at first overall in the 2023 Draft.

Utah have signed a pair of new forwards for the new season. Frank Lochore is a 6’4″ (1.94m) lock or blindside flanker who arrives from Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand. The 22-year-old is the grandson of former All Blacks captain and coach Brian Lochore and has represented the New Zealand Barbarians.

The second player is Dylan Nel, soon to be 31, who is primarily a No8 but can also play on the flank. Originally from South Africa, most of his professional career has been spent in New Zealand. He has four Super Rugby appearances under his belt with the Chiefs and also spent two seasons with Mitsubishi DynaBoars in Japan. In recent months he was with Southland Stags in the NPC.

Seattle have added another experienced outside back. Jade Stighling joins Toni Pulu and Divan Rossouw at the Seawolves. Stighling, 30, is a speedy winger with a half-dozen starts in Super Rugby while playing for the Bulls. More recently he was first choice with the Mbombela-based Pumas in the Currie Cup.

Dallas confirmed two American youngsters. Noah Wright was their fourth pick in the Collegiate Draft. He is a USA u23 select who played both scrumhalf and wing at Central Washington. Also arriving is 23-year-old hooker Lance Fenumia’i. He is an undrafted free agent who was originally a football player for the Saint Vincent College Bearcats before switching his focus to rugby.