Former USA u20 lock Nafi Ma’afu made his long-awaited professional debut on Friday night. The 22-year-old from Tempe, Arizona, was a 54th minute replacement for French Pro D2 side Perpignan in their 24-20 victory over Valence Romans at Stade Aimé Giral. Ma’afu has patiently waited for his opportunity. He signed …
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Unbeaten Argentina win back-to-back Madrid 7’s tournaments
Los Pumas 7’s were crowned champions today in Madrid. In doing so, Los Pumas 7’s won back-to-back Madrid 7’s tournaments. There were three matches today. Los Pumas 7’s recorded a 38-0 win over the USA and a 36-19 win over Kenya. They were followed by a rematch with Kenya in …
Read More »Abby Duguid named Player of the Match for Loughborough
Canadian lock Abby Duguid continued her rich vein of form by earning Player of the Match honors for Loughborough on Saturday. She scored a second half try as the Lightning recorded their fourth consecutive Premier 15s win, a dominant 43-14 result over visiting Worcester Warriors. It’s the second time in …
Read More »Two tries for Rachel Johnson as Exeter romp to victory
Rachel Johnson had a day to remember in her first Premier 15s start on Saturday. The USA international scored two tries as Exeter romped to a club record 76-5 win over Durham Sharks at Sandy Park. It’s the sixth win in a row for the Chiefs, who haven’t tasted defeat …
Read More »Alemanno scores in Gloucester win over Worcester Warriors
Matías Alemanno was a try scorer on Saturday. The Argentine second-rower touched down for Gloucester in the team’s 22-14 win over the Worcester Warriors. It was Gloucester’s first English Premiership win since November. Alemanno scored from a pick-and-go. The drive over to score came in the 51st minute. He was …
Read More »Set piece dominates scrappy Rugby ATL warm-up
Major League Rugby fans were treated to an early look at Rugby ATL’s squad for the upcoming season as the team live-streamed their intra-squad match on Saturday night. Team Silver took the spoils with a 17-7 win over Team Black in a scrappy contest dominated by the set piece. Both …
Read More »Women’s Eagles pull out of Madrid 7s final day
The USA Women’s Eagles will not play on the final day of the Madrid 7s. A decision was made to withdraw after members of the French team tested positive for COVID-19. France were due to play the USA on Saturday but the match was cancelled, with the French team dropping …
Read More »Argentina unbeaten to start Madrid 7s round two
Argentina went unbeaten today in Spain. In the second of two Sevens tournaments in Madrid, Los Pumas’ remain unbeaten. Argentina defeated Spain, Portugal, and Chile in today’s matches. Los Pumas 7’s started with a 37-5 win over hosts Spain. Marcos Moneta, Matías Osadczuk, Rodrigo Etchart, Joaquín de la Vega, and …
Read More »Facundo Cordero slices through Sale Sharks for impressive try
Facundo Cordero scored an impressive try for the Exeter Chiefs on Friday. The Argentine outside back sliced through the Sale Sharks defense to score in the opening half. His individual try saw him getting around and past three defenders. The Sale Sharks won the match 25-20. They did so with …
Read More »Shalom Suniula signs on for more with Seawolves
Shalom Suniula will play a fourth Major League Rugby season for the Seattle Seawolves. After speculation he could opt for retirement, the 32-year-old has signed on for the 2021 campaign. The last of three USA international brothers to play in MLR, Suniula captained the Seawolves to back-to-back titles in 2018 …
Read More »Ross Depperschmidt signs NOLA extension
Ross Depperschmidt has signed a contract extension with the NOLA Gold for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The 28-year-old center is the fourth player confirmation in recent days by the club following Giovanni Lapp, Osaiasi Tonga’uiha, and Keanu Andrade. Though he arrived part-way through the 2019 season, Depperschmidt had …
Read More »Experienced Cobras roster for 2021 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby
An experienced Cobras roster will compete in the 2021 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR). A longlist of 39 players is presently preparing for the upcoming season. The 2021 SLAR will begin on March 16. The roster contains Brazil’s regular test squad members across all positions. The five most capped …
Read More »Madrid Sevens Week 2 Fixtures and Stream Links
The opening weekend of the Madrid 7s saw Argentina claiming the men’s title and Russia crowned champions of the women. Both the Men’s and Women’s Eagles would finish in 3rd spot. This weekend will see both divisions comprised of six teams. Chile has arrived to compete in the men’s bracket, …
Read More »MLR Preseason Preview – ATL Silver vs ATL Black
The 2021 Major League Rugby preseason will begin in earnest next Friday, but fans will get a teaser of what is to come as Rugby ATL offers up an intra-squad battle at Lupo Family Field on Saturday evening. It’s Silver vs Black as 37 players take part with starting spots …
Read More »Full slate of Premier 15s to be streamed on Saturday
The Premier 15s returns in full force on Saturday with all 10 teams slated for action. North American internationals will feature in four of the five games. Saracens will take on Wasps in the featured streaming match of the weekend. There are three Canadians named in the Saracens lineup. Sophie …
Read More »Seawolves sign ex-Connacht center Kieran Joyce
The Seattle Seawolves have announced the signing of midfielder Kieran Joyce for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. He arrives from Birmingham Moseley in England’s National One. Joyce, 24, is English-born but Irish-qualified and spent three seasons with Guinness Pro Championship side Connacht. There he was most often sighted with …
Read More »LA inks long-term deal with Memorial Coliseum
The LA Giltinis have confirmed that they will play their Major League Rugby home games at Memorial Coliseum. That in itself is not a surprise, with the team announcing their intention to play at the iconic venue in their introductory press release. What does come as news is the length …
Read More »RWC 2023 Schedule: Why Americas 1 is favorable and Americas 2 unfavorable
The RWC 2023 match schedule is favorable for some and unfavorable for others. The organizers have provided a more even spread of fixtures than in prior RWCs; however, there are teams with friendlier match schedules than others. In the case of the Americas there are four places to consider. They …
Read More »Brex starts in Italian mid-field vs Ireland
Juan Ignacio Brex will start in the Italian mid-field vs Ireland. The Argentine has been named at outside center for Italy in their round three Six Nations fixture in Rome. The match will be Brex’s third start for Italy. He started in both prior matches. The first was his test …
Read More »Argentina to begin RWC 2023 campaign against England in Marseille
The match schedule for RWC 2023 was announced this morning (Americas time) in Paris. It confirmed the dates and venues of the pool matches. The Americas will be represented by Argentina, Americas 1, Americas 2 and, potentially the Repechage Winner. For the time being Argentina is the one confirmed participant …
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