Elkins moves to Austin as MLR rumors heat up

The Major League Rugby transfer season is now in full swing with several big names tipped for moves in recent days. USA Falcons Sevens international and Eagles extended training squad winger Alex Elkins has left the Houston SaberCats for another Texan team, Austin Elite. After struggling to find game time last season a change of scenery should prove a good move for the former NFL hopeful.

Elkins was part of Austin’s player combine held over the weekend. Other teams holding combines for prospective players in the coming weeks are Utah on October 5, with NOLA following on October 21.

Flying under the radar over the past week was a first-ever MLR ‘draft’ that saw teams given opportunities to grab ‘signing rights’ for associate players and unsigned collegiate graduates. Details are hard to come by but it should see a few other fringe players switching teams as Elkins has.

Meanwhile the SaberCats have been busy in recent weeks. South Americans aren’t the only ones on their list of targets. Germany’s South African No8 Ayron Schramm is in their sights as a potential replacement for departed captain Kyle Sumsion. Now confirmed is the addition of former Eagles midfielder Paul Emerick as skills coach, while former Wales rugby league and Romania defense coach Neil Kelly is also set to join Justin Fitzpatrick’s staff.

The French press are reporting that former Stade Français General Manager Pierre Arnald has signed on to take over the same role with Rugby United New York while also becoming a club shareholder. New York have yet to confirm the move but given their prior relationship with the Parisian club this appears to be a done deal.

Another name mooted for the Big Apple is that of former France international Frédéric Michalak. A scrumhalf or flyhalf, the 35-year-old retired from French club rugby in June after spending the past two Top 14 season with Lyon. The move is said to be a one-year deal with a move to Monaco to follow as General Manager of a new professional franchise to be launched in 2020.

Rumors from Austin and the Denver area suggest that Eagles loose forward Hanco Germishuys could be returning to the Glendale Raptors. One of the standout players of the inaugural season, Germishuys played for the Raptors in 2015 and subsequently the Denver Stampede before signing with the Austin Huns in 2017. The move would be a significant blow to the Elite who have already lost starting No8 Pedrie Wannenburg to retirement.

Others on the departures front include SaberCats prop Petey Hepburn who has retired, and a handful of Seattle Seawolves who look to have been released. Starting hooker Ray Barkwill is the most prominent name no longer on their roster list, the Canadian international also briefly appearing on an ‘Alumni’ page that has since been taken down. Others seemingly not returning for 2019 include prop LaRome White, midfielders Mike Garrity and Mozac Samson, and winger Jeremy Misailegalu.