The San Diego Legion have acquired versatile backfielders Marcel Brache and Luke Burton for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. Both come in exchange for salary cap considerations from the Austin Gilgronis and LA Giltinis respectively.
Brache made the move from Super Rugby to Texas in 2022 and played in 13 of 16 matches for the AG’s. The USA international was used primarily at fullback, though he was also frequently switched to outside center during matches and started three games in the No13 shirt.
Burton returns to San Diego after spending the past two seasons with the Giltinis. The former Australia u20 representative can cover flyhalf, inside center, and fullback. This past season Burton played 14 games for LA and kicked 20 conversions with 4 penalty goals.
The signings suggest that veterans Ma’a Nonu and Joe Pietersen may not be returning to San Diego in 2022, though no confirmation has come from either the players or the Legion. Meanwhile the futures of both LA and Austin remain unanswered after both teams were suspended for violating league rules related to the salary cap.