MLR Off-Season Update – Rugby ATL

Rugby ATL have now confirmed their playing roster for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. Some prominent names have departed during the off-season and only four have been recruited from overseas, with the club instead opting to back younger players to step up. Their home venue will stay the same, with a long-term commitment to Silverbacks Park now in place.

There are no changes to off-field leadership, though on the field will change slightly. Ryan Nell has been co-captain alongside Matt Heaton since Day One for the Ratlers, but Nell’s departure presumably means the Canadian will assume a solo role in 2023. Johan Momsen was the third captaincy option in 2022.

The forward pack has said goodbye to prized hooker Marko Janse van Rensburg, prop John Sullivan, a trio of second rowers, and veteran flanker Connor Cook. Ben Strang arrives from New Zealand to plug the gap at No2 while a pair of young Clydesdales – Nahuel Milán and Jordan Brown – arrive to bolster the engine room. Kutztown’s Matt Gelhaus will be the fourth lock option in his first season as a professional.

Sullivan and Cook, notably, have not been replaced. Wikus Groenewald returns from injury and along with John-Roy Jenkinson gives the team two former Junior Boks as scrum anchors. More will be asked of newly-minted Eagles cap Vili Helu at blindside flanker and Fred Henry-Ajudua is rewarded for his outstanding form in the American Rugby Premiership with a full spot in the back row. It leaves Heaton as the only specialist openside flanker after the club did not come to a deal with ex-LA standout Christian Poidevin, the Australian instead signing for San Diego.

A number of players kept sharp in the ARP during its six-week season, though most turned out for Life University rather than ATL’s official academy side. One who did wear the ATL shirt was hooker Isaac Bales, a first-round pick in the 2021 Collegiate Draft who missed the entirety of the 2022 MLR season with a serious knee injury. His return to fitness means that Alex Maughan will concentrate primarily on loosehead prop this season.

There will be a change in the starting No15 shirt with another former New Zealand 7s representative Rewita Biddle hired to replace outgoing Joaquín de la Vega Mendía, the latter returning to Argentina. Otherwise it’s a trio of draft picks who cover for the departures of Nell, Eamonn Matthews, and Cole Davis. USA u23 scrumhalf Evan Conlon was picked in the draft along with a pair of Canada u20 caps in midfielder Seth Purdey and versatile three-quarter Jack Shaw. Conner Mooneyham was selected in the Dispersal Draft but, like Poidevin, went elsewhere to Seattle. On the flipside Austin White did not come to an agreement with Chicago and will stay put.

With so much of the team based locally the Ratlers will get a head start on preseason training. They’ll be holding an open training session at Life University on the morning of Tuesday, December 20. ATL opens their 2023 regular season campaign at home against friendly rivals Toronto on February 17.

Under Contract: Alex Maughan (LH/HO), Tiaan Erasmus (HO), Wikus Groenewald (TH), John-Roy Jenkinson (TH), Lincoln Si’i (TH), Johan Momsen (LO, 2024), Vili Helu (FL), Jason Damm (N8), Kurt Coleman (FH), Will Leonard (CE), Harley Davidson (WI), Nolan Tuamoheloa (WI), Austin White (WI/FB)

Re-signed: Will Burke (LH), Jonas Petrakopoulos (LH), Isaac Bales (HO), Matt Heaton (FL, 2024), Frederick Henry-Ajudua (FL), Daemon Torres (FL/N8), Ross Deacon (N8), Rowan Gouws (SH, 2024), Ryan Rees (SH), Duncan van Schalkwyk (SH/FH, 2024), George Barton (CE), Te Rangatira Waitokia (CE/WI), Martini Talapusi (FB)

Collegiate Draft: Matt Gelhaus (LO, Kutztown), Evan Conlon (SH, Lindenwood), Seth Purdey (CE, Cal Berkeley), Jack Shaw (CE/WI, Bishop’s)

In: Ben Strang (HO, Manawatu, NZ, 2025), Jordan Brown (LO, Leeds Beckett, UK, 2024), Nahuel Milán (LO, Peñarol, 2024), Rewita Biddle (FB, Palmyra, AU, 2025)

Out: Marko Janse van Rensburg (HO, Cheetahs, SA), John Sullivan (TH, retired), Justin Basson (LO, Sharks, SA), Conor Keys (LO, New England Free Jacks), Evan Mintern (LO/N8, Doncaster Knights, UK), Connor Cook (FL, retired), Eamonn Matthews (SH), Ryan Nell (CE), Cole Davis (WI, Toronto Arrows), Joaquín de la Vega Mendía (FB)

A detailed squad list can be seen here.