The Chicago Hounds have secured another player selected in the Dispersal Draft. Mark O’Keeffe follows his Austin midfield partner Bryce Campbell in making the move north. It’s the fourth Major League Rugby team for the 28-year-old, having previously lined up for New York and ATL. O’Keeffe has been one of …
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US-eligible Canterbury hooker Shilo Klein joins San Diego
The San Diego Legion have announced the signing of hooker Shilo Klein for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. He arrives from New Zealand and represented the Baby Blacks at the 2019 World Rugby u20 Championship, but remains US-eligible having been born in Sacramento. Klein is just 23 but already …
Read More »NOLA signs former New Zealand u20 prop Sean Paranihi
NOLA Gold have signed Manawatu Turbos prop Sean Paranihi on a two-year deal through the 2024 Major League Rugby season. The 26-year-old tighthead specialist is the second front rower to arrive from New Zealand, following Northland loosehead Jarred Adams. Paranihi represented his country at the 2016 World Rugby u20 Championship …
Read More »Chicago Hounds sign Dallas flanker Mike Matarazzo
The Chicago Hounds have signed blindside flanker Mike Matarazzo for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. He makes the move north from the Dallas Jackals, having spent the 2021 season with Rugby ATL after being selected in the 1st round of the 2020 Collegiate Draft. Matarazzo enjoyed a breakthrough season …
Read More »Houston SaberCats sign Hanco Germishuys and Dom Akina
The Houston SaberCats have confirmed the signings of Hanco Germishuys and Dominic Akina for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. They were selected in the Dispersal Draft from the LA Giltinis and Austin Gilgronis respectively. Both are noted for their dynamic ball carrying ability. Germishuys started for the Eagles in …
Read More »New York names new coaching team for 2023
Fresh off announcing a new home and a new nickname, New York have now identified their new coaching staff for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. The defending champions will be led by former Utah Warriors player-coach James Semple with ex-All Blacks prop Ben Afeaki named Forwards Coach. Semple, who …
Read More »Seawolves book preseason games against Raptors and Orcas
The Seattle Seawolves have confirmed two preseason games to be played at Starfire Stadium ahead of the 2023 Major League Rugby regular season. Both will be played in a span of three days with the American Raptors up first on February 5 followed by Seattle Rugby Club on February 8. …
Read More »New England re-signs Canada u20 flanker Ethan Fryer
The New England Free Jacks have re-signed openside flanker Ethan Fryer for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. He has been elevated to a full senior contract after initially joining on a development deal. Just 20 years old, Fryer made his professional debut as a replacement in Toronto this past …
Read More »Chicago signs USA Falcons fullback Chris Mattina
The Chicago Hounds have signed versatile back Chris Mattina for their inaugural Major League Rugby campaign. A USA Sevens international, he recently toured South Africa with the USA Falcons and was part of the Eagles squad for the World Cup Qualifiers but has yet to win a test cap. Mattina …
Read More »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, …
Read More »Premier Rugby Sevens to add teams in 2023
Premier Rugby Sevens intends to double its number of franchises for the 2023 season. Four competed this past season, with each fielding a Women’s and Men’s team. The professional league will also move to an East-West conference system. The four existing franchises will be assigned a geographical region this year …
Read More »Thretton Palamo commits to another year with Old Glory
Thretton Palamo will play a fourth season with Old Glory DC. The 34-year-old midfielder has re-signed for the 2023 campaign, his fifth in Major League Rugby having lined up for the Houston SaberCats in 2019. Injury sidelined Palamo for much of 2022, limiting him to just four appearances. He remains …
Read More »Free Jacks sign midfielder Spencer Jones from Arrows
The New England Free Jacks have Canadian international Spencer Jones for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. He is the third player to make the move from Toronto to Boston during the off-season, following front row pair Andrew Quattrin and Cole Keith. Jones established himself as a first-choice player for …
Read More »Top Argentine Scrum-Half in Danger of Missing World Cup
A top Argentine scrum-half is in danger of missing out on Rugby World Cup 2023. Gonzalo García was injured this past weekend playing in the European Challenge Cup. He requires surgery; he left the field in the 78th minute in Zebre’s 24-21 loss against Toulon. García tore the cruciate ligaments …
Read More »Chile’s opening RWC match venue may change
Chile’s opening match venue at Rugby World Cup 2023 may change. Los Cóndores are scheduled to play against Japan on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at Le Stadium in Toulouse. Nine months out from the World Cup, doubts have surfaced in France concerning whether the stadium will in fact be ready …
Read More »Chicago acquires ex-Austin back row Michael de Waal
The Chicago Hounds have acquired loose forward Michael de Waal from the Jackals in exchange for salary cap considerations. Dallas drafted his rights from the Austin Gilgronis during the Dispersal Draft. The 27-year-old returns to the Midwest, having previously lined up for Lindenwood University. Originally from South Africa, de Waal …
Read More »Calvin Whiting re-signs with Utah Warriors
The Utah Warriors have secured one more returning player ahead of the 2023 Major League Rugby season. USA international Calvin Whiting will play a fourth season with the club. The announcement comes just over two weeks since the Warriors announced their squad for the new campaign. Whiting initially signed on …
Read More »Old Glory acquires KoiKoi Nelligan, signs Alejo Daireaux
Old Glory DC have acquired Army West Point star KoiKoi Nelligan from the San Diego Legion in exchange for a 1st round pick in the 2023 Collegiate Draft. At the same time the club has signed Argentine flanker Alejo Daireaux ahead of the upcoming Major League Rugby campaign. Nelligan helped …
Read More »Defending MLR champions New York adopt new nickname
Rugby New York have formally adopted a new nickname for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. The defending champions will be known as the ‘Ironworkers’. A new logo recognizing the change was unveiled on Monday. Former captain Mike Petri narrated the brand reveal. We’re building something special here in New …
Read More »Córdoba to join rebranded SLAR – Super Rugby Americas
Argentina will have a new professional rugby team. The country’s second largest city will be home to a new team to compete in the rebranded Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR). Córdoba will give Argentina two teams in the 2023 Super Rugby Americas. The team’s name is yet to be …
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