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The Seattle Seawolves have added another experienced front row player to their roster in Seattle Saracens stalwart Mike Shepherd. Primarily a hooker, the 28-year-old is comfortable across the front row. He has already had a taste of Major League Rugby having lined up at tighthead prop for the Saracens against the Houston SaberCats in the inaugural match at Constellation Field earlier this month.
Noted for his strength in the set piece and hard-nosed play in the loose, Shepherd participated in two IRB World Junior Trophy tournaments with the USA u20 side and was a Collegiate All-American first at Indiana University and then the University of Utah. He was a part of a series of senior Eagles training camps in 2015, traveling with the USA Select XV side to South America.
Shepherd joins an impressive cast of front row forwards at the Seawolves that looks to be the envy of other MLR sides. Canada hooker Ray Barkwill and Eagles props Nick Wallace and Olive Kilifi are the most prominent names. Developing talents Louie Henson, John Hayden, and LaRome White are also on the books and on the radar of Eagles selectors.
Seattle’s Major League Rugby campaign officially kicks off on April 22 with a home opener against the San Diego Legion at Starfire Stadium. They are set to play a preseason match against a Vancouver Island Select XV at Westhills Stadium in Langford, BC, on February 11.
