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NOLA have revealed their full roster for the upcoming campaign. The 39-man squad includes a dozen new signings, two of them joining via the Collegiate Draft and another two from the Dispersal Draft. Several returning players have been formally confirmed, among them Scotland international Dougie Fife who is set to line up at fullback this year.
First round college picks Cian Darling and Julian Roberts are included. Darling is a flanker who hails from Ireland but is US-qualified on residency. Roberts was initially selected as a flyhalf, where he played for Life recently during the American Rugby Premiership, but is listed as a winger. It’s a position he previously occupied for Life, earning Collegiate All-American honorable mention in 2019. Gabe Mahu’inga was also selected in the draft but his rights were recently traded to Utah.
Dispersal additions include Samoan World Cup winger Ed Fidow from New York and Canadian lock or blindside flanker Callum Botchar. The latter is new to MLR, having initially signed on with the Arrows for 2024. Nate Augspurger’s rights were traded to Chicago, and none of Tom Franklin, Felipe Aliaga, or Sam Malcolm have put pen to paper.
Two players return to contention after missing the entirety of 2023 due to injury. USA Falcons hooker George Sharpe is recovered from knee surgery, and former USA u20 lock or blindside Chase Jones is back from a blown Achilles tendon. Jones will be making his pro debut in 2024.
Meanwhile senior Eagles international Andrew Guerra has stepped away from the team. While not ruling out a return entirely, the 25-year-old openside flanker is focusing on life away from rugby after spending the past two years recovering from a badly broken leg suffered while playing against New Zealand in October of 2021. Similarly promising tighthead prop Brian Nault has not returned after experiencing prolonged concussion symptoms.
Other notable absentees include first choice fullback Jordan Trainor, who has opted to say in New Zealand with his young family. Aaron Matthews has decided to retire from professional rugby to pursue a career as a medical technician (EMT), and fellow center or wing Cael Hodgson has been traded to the new Charlotte team that is still to be officially unveiled.
A detailed roster list can be seen here.
