Long-time NOLA Gold star JP Eloff will be playing for a new team in the 2023 Major League Rugby season. The 31-year-old USA international has been acquired by the expansion Chicago Hounds in exchange for salary cap considerations. Primarily a fullback, he is also comfortable at flyhalf and inside center. …

Make it seven Argentine professionals heading to Dallas next season. The Jackals have announced the signing of versatile back Tomás Malanos for the 2023 Major League Rugby campaign. He follows Atlético del Rosario clubmate Jerónimo Gómez Vara to Texas. Malanos represented Los Pumitas at the 2016 and 2017 World Rugby …

The San Diego Legion have acquired the rights to former LA flanker Christian Poidevin, while also announcing a contract extension for midfielder Thomas Morani. Poidevin was selected by Rugby ATL in the Dispersal Draft. The Ratlers will receive salary cap considerations in exchange. An openside specialist, Poidevin made 28 appearances …

The Houston SaberCats have acquired the rights to former LA Giltinis lock Nathan Den Hoedt. He had been picked up by Chicago in the Expansion Draft, but is instead set to play in Texas with the Hounds receiving salary cap considerations in exchange. Den Hoedt has been among Major League …

The Chicago Hounds have acquired the rights to a pair of domestic-qualified hookers ahead of their inaugural Major League Rugby campaign. Lindsey Stevens arrives from the now-defunct LA Giltinis, while Mason Koch finds a new home after the demise of the Austin Gilgronis. Both players were selected in the recent …

Elias Ergas has been called into the Canadian squad for this weekend’s World Sevens Series event in Cape Town. The 24-year-old replaces the injured Cooper Coats in the only change to Sean White’s roster. Canada’s Men finished in 14th spot in Dubai, White’s first event in charge of the side. …

The Toronto Arrows have signed loosehead Conan O’Donnell for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. A former Ireland u20 international, the 26-year-old has spent the past three years abroad playing professionally in Japan and New Zealand. After breaking into the former Pro 12 competition with Connacht, O’Donnell signed on with …

The Seattle Seawolves have moved quickly to fill the gap left by Andrew Durutalo’s retirement. Former Ireland u20 international Ronan Foley has been signed after spending the past two Major League Rugby campaigns with the Toronto Arrows. Foley arrived at the Arrows late in the 2021 season and made enough …

Tom Franklin is headed back to Southern California. The 32-year-old will return to the San Diego Legion for a second Major League Rugby season, after spending the past year in Japan. He has previously represented both the New Zealand u20s and Māori All Blacks. Initially arriving late in the 2021 …

Another Argentine forward has been added to the Dallas Jackals roster for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. Joaquín Horcada makes the move from Rosario to Texas, having previously represented his country in international competition at multiple age grade levels. Initially a hooker, Horcada achieved a unique distinction in 2017 …

The four Americas entries in the Men’s bracket have been drawn in separate pools for this weekend’s Cape Town Sevens. Meanwhile North American rivals Canada and the USA will meet in the Women’s bracket, with Brazil again set to face challenging opposition. Australia, Great Britain, and Uganda await the Men’s …

Old Glory DC have announced the signing of Nic Souchon for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. The 25-year-old hooker arrives from the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship. Souchon made his senior debut with Canterbury in 2018 and would earn NZ Universities honors the following year …

Andrew Durutalo has opted to retire from professional rugby. The 35-year-old loose forward confirmed the decision in a statement via the Seattle Seawolves. “Great to have been part of the Seawolves journey for the past 3 seasons. Having played the sport at highest level (club & internationally) all over the …

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 Women’s Eagles’s Claim Bronze The USA’s quest for Olympic Qualification got off to a strong start as the Women’s …

UBC claimed their 4th Canadian University Men’s Championship in the five years of the competition with a dominant 48-5 win over McGill on Sunday. The Redbirds simply had no answer for the size and speed of the home town Thunderbirds, who featured a number of Canada age-grade internationals. Relmu Wilson-Valdes …

Rugby New York have re-signed versatile three-quarter Ishmail Shabazz for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. Originally from Portland, Oregon, the 25-year-old spent recent months playing for NYAC in the American Rugby Premiership. Shabazz returned stateside from a two-year stint in New Zealand to join New York ahead of the …

Mason Pedersen has put pen to paper with the Seattle Seawolves. The 26-year-old prop was selected by the 2022 Major League Rugby finalists in the first round of the Dispersal Draft and has now committed to the 2023 campaign after spending the past five years in Texas. After starting his …

The Dallas Jackals have signed one of Argentina’s top prospects in flanker Jerónimo Gómez Vara. He makes the move to Major League Rugby after playing a prominent role with the Jaguares XV in the 2022 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) season. Gómez Vara, who turns 22 in January, notably …

South Africa moved to the top of the Men’s World Sevens standings with a convincing Cup Final win over Ireland in Dubai. The USA improved on their results in Hong Kong to finish in 4th, while Argentina weren’t far behind in 6th spot. After two events on the 11-stop circuit, …

The USA’s quest for Olympic Qualification got off to a strong start as the Women’s Eagles claimed Bronze in the opening round of the World Sevens Series in Dubai. Australia were crowned champions after defeating New Zealand, with the two rivals a clear step ahead of the rest of the …