MLR Notes: Fraser retires, Momsen to LA, Miami confirms Teros

Canadian international Doug Fraser has announced his retirement from rugby. The 31-year-old center spent the past four seasons in Major League Rugby, the first with Austin Elite and the last three with Old Glory DC. He also won four test caps for Canada between 2018 and 2019.

Despite playing just four regular season games in 2023 Fraser forced himself into Old Glory’s starting lineup for their first ever playoff run. He also captained the side against the Houston SaberCats in early June. Fraser is the second DC player to retire following second row Stan South.

Another who has confirmed retirement is Ironworkers scrumhalf Eamonn Matthews. The former USA u20 select has called it quits at the age of 26, after appearing in five games this past season. He had previously spent three seasons with ATL before making the move north to New York.

Former Old Glory prop Steven Longwell was given the honor of playing for the world famous Barbarians club against Samoa this past week. Two current Major League Rugby players also suited up. Arrows No8 Mitch Eadie started for the Baa-Baas while New York winger Ed Fidow came off the bench for Samoa.

As expected, the Sharks have now confirmed their incoming Teros. Joining the expansion side after the World Cup will be openside flanker Manuel Ardao, flyhalf or fullback Felipe Etcheverry, and outside center Tomás Inciarte. Ardao and Etcheverry are among Uruguay’s best players, the latter named Super Rugby Americas Player of the Year in 2023. Inciarte is an experienced international who has also played test rugby at scrumhalf.

Also heading to Miami from Montevideo is former Uruguay prop Oscar Durán. The 43-year-old will join José Pellicena’s staff as Forwards Coach, the same job he has held with Peñarol and Los Teros. Durán played in all four matches for Los Teros at the 2015 World Cup.

Two other clubs have confirmed changes to their staff. Utah have recruited American Raptors assistant Brendan O’Meara as their new Attack Coach. This will be his second stint in MLR, having previously worked with the Austin Gilgronis. O’Meara was a long-time coach at Saint Mary’s College and also led the USA u20s in 2018.

Meanwhile the Houston SaberCats have a new club president. Mike Sheehan takes over from JT Onyett, who had been in the role for the past four years. Sheehan was a sales executive with the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners before becoming the President and GM of the Austin Gilgronis in 2020.

LA take 2 doesn’t even have a team name yet, or colors, or even publicly-revealed owners. They do have a star player on their books however. Rugby ATL vice-captain Johan Momsen, one of the league’s premier second rows, has confirmed he will make the move from coast-to-coast. The last time Momsen played in LA would have been the 2021 Championship Final, won by the Giltinis at Memorial Coliseum.

Three players chosen in the 2023 MLR Collegiate Draft have been named in the USA u23 side to compete at this weekend’s RugbyTown 7s tournament. Indiana University duo Noah Brown and Will Chevalier, picked by Chicago and New England respectively, will be joined by Houston select Orrin Bizer. Another with MLR connections is former LA winger Kahanu Koi.