Up and Under is a weekly exclusive on Americas Rugby News. It covers the best and worst from games involving the Americas players and teams over the previous week.   UP World Rugby Honor Kathy Flores The late Kathy Flores is to be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of …

Angus Cottrell has announced his retirement from professional rugby. The 32-year-old LA Giltinis flanker issued a brief statement on social media thanking his former teammates. In his two MLR seasons Cottrell was considered among the best forwards in Major League Rugby. He appeared in numerous year-end select XVs in 2021 …

Old Glory DC have acquired Quentin Newcomer from the New England Free Jacks in exchange for a 2nd round pick in the 2023 Collegiate Draft and salary cap considerations. The 26-year-old prop moves back to his home town with Fairfax, Virginia, part of the Washington metropolitan area. Newcomer joined the …

Utah Warriors lock Puna Vuli has signed with Japan League One side Honda Heat. The 26-year-old Fijian departs after making 17 Major League Rugby appearances, 13 of them coming this past season. Vuli joined the Warriors in 2019 but had to wait until the following year to make his professional …

Uruguay will host a three-match international series including the second-senior (‘A’) sides of the USA and Argentina. All three matches will be played at the Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo between Tuesday, October 13, and Friday, October 23. The series is effectively taking the place of the Americas Pacific Challenge, which …

The New England Free Jacks have found their replacement for Beaudein Waaka. Arriving from Taranaki in New Zealand is Jayson Potroz. The two players were teammates at the provincial outfit in 2018. Waaka has now joined Japanese club Kobelco Steelers. Potroz is 30 years old and boasts over 100 premier …

Mason Flesch has re-signed with the Toronto Arrows for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. The 22-year-old is currently working his way back from a serious knee injury that ended his 2022 campaign in mid-February, just three weeks into the season. Since debuting near the end of the 2021 season, …

Canada will not be playing against the All Blacks XV on October 29. New Zealand’s second-choice side was to travel to North America as part of their end-of-year tour, but have now confirmed games against Ireland ‘A’ and the Barbarians in November. A release from New Zealand Rugby makes no …

Old Glory DC have added a third Argentine to their roster for the 2023 Major League Rugby season, and fourth South American. Making the move from Belgrano in Buenos Aires is Fermín Martínez. This will be the first professional contract for the 25-year-old midfielder. Martínez represented the province of Tucumán …

NOLA have confirmed the signing of Reece Botha for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. The 22-year-old South African is currently playing with the Gold Academy side in the American Rugby Premiership, having previously lined up for Lindenwood University. Originally from Johannesburg, Botha arrived at Lindenwood in 2019 on a …