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Five veterans of Major League Rugby will have their status changed from ‘international’ to ‘domestic’ for the 2025 campaign. Each joined the American competition for the 2020 season and will become US-qualified in the new year under the new five-year registration regulation.
The players include Houston SaberCats lock or blindside flanker Marno Redelinghuys, Old Glory DC lock Tevita Naqali, San Diego Legion center Tiaan Loots, NOLA Gold center JP du Plessis, and Seattle Seawolves three quarter David Busby. All have played exclusively within the US since signing on for MLR.
In addition, two young players have become US-qualified through a combination of collegiate and professional registration. San Diego lock James Rivers, who played with Anthem last season, and current Anthem flanker Alby O’Shannessey will be classed as domestic in 2025. Rivers is originally from England and previously represented Hong Kong at u20 level, while O’Shannessey is from New Zealand.
Limits for non-domestic players started at a baseline of 10 out of a match day 23 for each team, though up to two of those slots can be traded for a minimum of 8 and maximum of 12. Anthem is permitted to trade four international slots. Both Canadian and US-eligible players are considered domestic.
