Some of Rugby ATL’s finest will dust off the boots to play an intra-squad match on Saturday. Though it is officially under the guise of Pathway 404, the team’s development program, there are 10 members of the senior ATL squad present and three others with Major League Rugby experience.
Eagles pair Chance Wenglewski and Alex Maughan team up in Team Silver’s front row with a third USA international Harry Higgins named on the flank. New signing Mike Matarazzo gets a run at No8 with first choice flyhalf Kurt Coleman headling the back division.
Paris Hollis makes a positional switch to hooker, with GCU standout Lincoln Sii getting a look at tighthead prop. Vili Helu and Maciu Koroi feature in the back row, and it’s an inexperienced backline behind them with only Richard Shore featuring during the MLR preseason.
Two ex-Rugby United New York forwards will take the field. Jonas Petrakopoulos has already signed for ATL while Alex MacDonald is looking to earn a contract with the side. Another hoping to make the MLR cut in 2021 is former San Diego Legion lock Sam Peri.
Kickoff is set for 6pm local time, 3pm Pacific. The game will take place at ATL’s home pitch Lupo Family Field on the Life University campus. A live stream will be available on the Rugby ATL Facebook page.
TEAM SILVER
1 Chance Wenglewski, 2 Alex Maughan, 3 Sam Chaney, 4 Daemon Torres, 5 Alex MacDonald, 6 Harry Higgins, 7 Daniel Logan, 8 Mike Matarazzo, 9 Eamonn Matthews, 10 Kurt Coleman, 11 Tommy Wallace, 12 Marcos Young, 13 Ryan Britain, 14 Stephen Krueger, 15 Martini Talapusi
TEAM BLACK
1 Jonas Petrakopoulos, 2 Paris Hollis, 3 Lincoln Sii, 4 Sam Peri, 5 Campbell Robinson, 6 Vili Helu, 7 Jalen Tatum, 8 Maciu Koroi, 9 Sidney Shoop, 10 Shea O’Hanlon, 11 John Truax, 12 Richard Shore, 13 Tito Bautista-Vargas, 14 Giovani Douyon, 15 Sam Trammel
Alternates: Angel Torres, Jeremiah King, Nate Williams, Nikolas Koumandarakis, Tomas Gallo
Date: Saturday, October 3
Venue: Lupo Family Field, Marietta
Kickoff: 18:00 Eastern (15:00 Pacific)
Broadcast: Facebook