MLR Off-Season Update – Old Glory DC

There is a lot of optimism surrounding Major League Rugby‘s new Washington, DC, franchise. Old Glory has passionate owners with strong ties to the local community in Chris Dunlavey and Paul Sheehy, count the Scottish Rugby Union among their investors, and their new partnership with the Capital Rugby Union is exactly the type of regional relationship to amateur rugby most envisioned with the creation of the professional league. Below we take a look at how their plans for the 2020 season are coming along.

2019 CAMPAIGN

After announcing themselves to the world in May of 2018, the team put together an exhibition side that played four games in the spring. Comprised largely of local Division 1 club players, losses against Irish club Shannon and Scotland u20 were followed by wins over the USA South Panthers and the Ontario Blues, the latter arguably Canada’s top provincial outfit.

While the MLR side will look vastly different in terms of player personnel, the games were a highly valuable experience for match day operations and a good way to introduce the team to supporters. Attendance figures were promising, with 8,246 tickets sold across the four games which is very close to the league average.

HOME VENUE

Cardinal Stadium on the campus of the Catholic University of America housed the team in the spring and will do so again for their first regular season campaign. The 34-year-old facility has a capacity of 3,500 with an artificial FieldTurf surface. There are plans for a purpose-built 5,000-seat stadium in the future, with Dunlavey’s expertise in large-scale construction project management particularly helpful in this regard when the team is ready to move forward.

COACHING STAFF

After impressing during his own trial run in the spring, New Zealand native Andrew Douglas has been signed on a two-year deal as Head Coach. Boasting experience with New Zealand Schools, Waikato, Italian club Biella, and Toyota Shokki in Japan, Douglas is well-traveled and has first hand knowledge of what is required in a professional environment. The rest of the staff is to be confirmed but former Eagles 7s rep Toshi Palamo is expected to continue his role as an assistant.

2020 ROSTER

Of the 33 players that suited up in the spring, only six have been re-signed thus far while 14 signings are new to the team. With practice slated to begin on December 2, expect more roster announcements throughout the week.

Ayemere Oiyemhonlan could be one of those named. He played all four matches in the spring and has been turning out for Old Blue in the American Rugby Premiership this fall. The 23-year-old has been used as a lock but projects as a flanker in MLR with good athletic potential.

The back row already looks in decent shape with club captain Josh Brown joined by Canada ‘A’ rep Travis Larsen and new Eagles cap Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz from Austin and Houston respectively. Collegiate standouts Nic Mirhashem and Jack McLean are openside flanker options.

A couple Fijian locks – Api Naikatini and Tevita Naqali – should provide lineout possession and there is Mitre 10 Cup experience in the likely starting halfback combination of Samoan international Danny Tusitala and Bay of Plenty import Jason Robertson. Supplying plenty of x-factor from fullback will be Dylan Taikato-Simpson, fresh off a stellar season with the Glendale Raptors.

WHAT’S MISSING

The midfield looked vacant until Canadian international Doug Fraser was plucked from the Austin ranks last week. A pair of World Cup attendees could further plug the gap. USA select Thretton Palamo is expected to join brother Toshi in DC, and a third Canadian could be on the way with 73-test veteran Ciaran Hearn also said to be in their sights.

There are five front rowers confirmed to date and at least three more will be needed. An experienced hooker and tighthead prop will be at the top of the list. A couple locks are required, and three or four outside backs to add squad depth.

Yet to be exploited in the player department is the Scotland connection. It was thought that some age-grade internationals might be loaned to the team but as of yet, Jack Iscaro’s training stint with the Glasgow Warriors is the only player exchange between the two parties.

RE-SIGNED (6):

Will Vakalahi, LH
Jack Iscaro, HO
Josh Brown, N8
Michael Reid, SH
Ryan Burroughs, WI
Vetekina Malafu, WI

IN (14):

Jake Turnbull, LH, Houston SaberCats
Max Lum, LH, Glendale Raptors
Gordon Fullerton, TH, Te Awamutu (NZ)
Api Naikatini, LO, Seattle Seawolves
Tevita Naqali, LO, Fijian Drua (FI)
Jack McLean, FL, Penn State
Nic Mirhashem, FL, Cal Golden Bears
Travis Larsen, FL/N8, Austin Herd
Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz, FL/N8, Houston SaberCats
Danny Tusitala, SH, Auckland (NZ)
Jason Robertson, FH, Bay of Plenty (NZ)
Mike Dabulas, FH, Penn State
Doug Fraser, CE, Austin Herd
Dylan Taikato-Simpson, FB, Glendale Raptors

OUT (2):

Cullen Barelka, PR/HO, 404 Rugby
Corey Jones, CE/FB, Austin Herd