One day after announcing the signing of Major League Rugby’s best outside center, the Chicago Hounds have confirmed the addition of the league’s best inside center. Two-time MLR Back of the Year Billy Meakes heads to the Midwest after spending two seasons with the LA Giltinis.
Meakes, 31, has been a standout in virtually every appearance since making the move to MLR ahead of the 2021 campaign. This past year he started 15 games for the Giltinis, largely in the No12 shirt but he also made three appearances wearing No13. He then featured for the Australia 7s side in Los Angeles and the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town.
With ex-Austin duo Bryce Campbell and Mark O’Keeffe, the Hounds are now spoiled for choice in the midfield. Meakes could well shift to the No13 shirt in Chicago, with Campbell at his best wearing No12 and O’Keeffe equally effective on the wing. Whatever the configuration, Chicago’s backline will not be short on firepower in their inaugural campaign.