Up and Under is a weekly exclusive on Americas Rugby News which reviews the best and worst from games involving the Americas teams over the previous week.   UP Rugby ATL Atlanta’s brand new professional rugby team has now played its first game, and celebrated the occasion with victory. Rugby …

Rugby ATL took the field for the first time ever on Sunday, as they hosted the NOLA Gold for a preseason contest in front of a healthy crowd approaching 2,000 at Lupo Family Field. It was a winning feeling on Day One as ATL took a 34-33 win in an …

Germán Kessler made history. In his debut appearance in France he was a try scorer. Charente were at home against Pro D2 leaders, Perpignan. Kessler made his debut as a replacement, scoring a try with time up on the clock. Perpignan won the match 23-20. In doing so, the Catalans …

Chile is to receive French referees. Pierre Bru and Quentin Janicot will be in the country to officiate junior and senior tournaments at the Colegio Mackay over the coming weeks in Viña del Mar. The visit is part of an exchange, notes Rugby Chile. It is also to aid regional referees. …

Juan Imhoff has the second best strike rate in European Champions Cup history. The Argentine speedster has 27 tries from 45 appearances in the competition. The only player with a superior strike rate is Chris Ashton with 40 from 66 games. His most recent try was scored in today’s 39-22 …

The Tasman Mako have named a 27-strong traveling squad for their upcoming two-match tour to the USA. As expected the Mitre 10 Cup champions will send a development squad featuring limited senior provincial experience but a number of promising youngsters. Mitre 10 regulars Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta and Jacob Norris bolster …

USA World Cup fullback Mike Te’o has been named in the USA Falcons squad to compete at the Coral Coast Sevens in Sigatoka, Fiji, this coming week. The development side will give opportunities for several players to push for spots on the senior World Sevens Series squad. Te’o has re-signed …

It was a tough day for Sale Sharks in La Rochelle as the Premiership side lost their Champions Cup match 30-23 on Friday evening. To make matters worse, starting flyhalf AJ MacGinty was lost in the first half to a serious shoulder injury. Sharks led 10-0 in the opening quarter …

The Seattle Seawolves have added three players to their extended roster for the upcoming Major League Rugby season. Midfielder Matt Brennan is joined by twin three quarters Sitiveni and Suliasi Tamaivena. Brennan returns to Seattle after spending a season in New Zealand playing for Burnside in Christchurch. He was previously …

The New England Free Jacks have confirmed two preseason matches ahead of their inaugural Major League Rugby campaign. Both will be against the same opponent – the New England Independents. Hosted at the Union Point Sports Complex in Weymouth under the all-weather dome, the first match will be on Saturday, …