Vern Cotter has named a 32-man Fiji squad for the upcoming Autumn Nations Cup. Included in his first selection as Head Coach are two players signed for Major League Rugby teams in 2021 – Rugby United New York prop Samu Tawake and Dallas Jackals flyhalf Tuidraki Samusamuvodre. Tawake debuted for …
Read More »News Archives
Toronto Arrows clarify Canadian Player Pathway
The Toronto Arrows have produced a streamlined chart of their pathway to professional rugby for Canadian players. Included in the chart are routes through both provincial and international rugby, with the pathway starting at junior age-grade and high school level. Two academy systems are incorporated as direct gateways to the …
Read More »Olmstead’s Biarritz move to top of Pro D2 table
Biarritz Olympique are now in sole possession of 1st place on the Pro D2 table. Evan Olmstead played a significant role as the forwards dominated Carcassonne en route to a 37-10 victory at Parc d’Aguiléra on Sunday. With 18 points Biarritz move one ahead of Perpignan, Vannes, and Oyonnax, though …
Read More »Preliminary Finals set for Shute Shield
The Shute Shield regular season has ended and the match-ups for next weekend’s Preliminary Finals are set. There are Major League Rugby interests in each contest, with incoming LA coach Darren Coleman leading his Gordon side to a first place finish and favorites heading into the knock-out rounds. Randwick will …
Read More »Dramatic draw in sensational Bledisloe Cup opener
International rugby returned in sensational fashion at the Cake Tin in Wellington on Sunday morning. New Zealand and Australia fought to a 16-all dead heat in the opening match of the Bledisloe Cup. A precursor to the Rugby Championship, the two sides kept the ball alive until the 87th minute …
Read More »Lucas Piero steps away as Tupis look to future
Lucas Piero has played his last game for Brazil. The venerable forward was one of several notable absentees from the Tupis squad named for the upcoming South American Championship. It has come to light that ‘Bruxinho’ has in fact now retired from international rugby. While Lucas ‘Tanque’ Duque was given …
Read More »SoCal team added to World Tens Series
Two more teams have been confirmed for the upcoming World Tens Series being hosted in Bermuda later this month. Phoenix hails from the Middle East, while the Rhinos are a new team representing Southern California. It brings the total to seven teams confirmed with one still to be revealed. As …
Read More »Six North Americans named for Premier 15s broadcast opener
England’s top women’s division – the Premier 15s – is set to kick off this weekend. The semi-professional competition will feature a number of North American players this season, with an impressive six names in Exeter’s lineup to face Gloucester-Hartpury. New Canadian arrivals Emily Tuttosi, McKinley Hunt, and Taylor Black …
Read More »Old Glory signs Belmont Shore halfback Danny Thomas
Old Glory DC have announced the signing of Danny Thomas for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. He celebrates his 26th birthday later this month and joins from Belmont Shore of the Pacific Rugby Premiership, equally comfortable at both scrumhalf and flyhalf. Thomas is originally from Farnham Common, England, but …
Read More »Sara Svoboda joins Menin and Holtkamp at Loughborough
Canadian flanker Sara Svoboda has signed for Loughborough Lightning. She follows international teammates DaLeaka Menin and Courtney Holtkamp to the Premier 15s club in England. Svoboda was a standout at the McMaster Marauders, lifting the Monilex Trophy as national university champions in 2015. She played her domestic club rugby for …
Read More »Free Jacks confirm signing of draft pick Justin Johnson
The New England Free Jacks have confirmed the signature of first round draft pick Justin Johnson for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. He follows second rounder Spencer Krueger in committing to a professional deal with the club. Johnson was selected 6th overall in June’s inaugural MLR Collegiate Draft. The …
Read More »Three more Canadians join Exeter Chiefs for Premier 15s
Exeter Chiefs have confirmed the signing of three further Canadian internationals for the Premier 15s season. Emily Tuttosi, McKinley Hunt, and Taylor Black will join Olivia DeMerchant with the quartet following US Eagles trio Kate Zackary, Gabby Cantorna, and Jennine Duncan to the English club. Tuttosi hails from Manitoba but …
Read More »Marcos Kremer delivers a ferocious tackle on Costinel Gorcioaia
Marcos Kremer has made a quick impact in France. The former Jaguar delivered a ferocious tackle on Costinel Gorcioaia last Friday. The tackle saw Gorcioaia losing the ball forward from the hit. Kremer’s tackle sent the Bayonne second-rower back five meters.
Read More »Strong MLR presence in Super Rugby Unlocked
Players from five Major League Rugby teams are set to take part in Super Rugby Unlocked, South Africa’s version of the domestic-only competitions recently run by New Zealand and Australia. The tournament will feature seven teams, with the Cheetahs, Pumas, and Griquas to join the ‘big four’. An 8th team …
Read More »Brazil send strong roster to Uruguay for SA 4 Nations
Brazil will send a strong roster to Uruguay. Head Coach Fernando Portugal has named a 30 man roster for the for the South American 4 Nations. Portugal, a former Brazilian player himself, has selected Brazil’s finest for the tournament. Os Tupis will play for the first time in 2020. Brazil’s …
Read More »Dallas signs tighthead prop Will Burke from RUNY
The Dallas Jackals have signed 24-year-old tighthead prop Will Burke for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. He arrives from Rugby United New York, with whom Burke played two games during his first season as a professional. A native of Alexander, New York, Burke did not start playing rugby until …
Read More »Russia extends RWC 2027 bid to include RWC 2031
Russia has decided to step up its bid to host a Rugby World Cup. In July, the world’s largest country confirmed a bid for RWC 2027. Now in October Russia Rugby has extended the bid to include RWC 2031. The union confirmed the decision. In doing so, Russia may now be …
Read More »Julián Rebussone becomes the 8th Argentine to join Ciencias Sevilla
Julián Rebussone has joined Ciencias Olavide. In doing so the Argentine flanker will have a professional experience abroad. His contract is for the 2020-2021 season for the División de Honor side. The 27-year-old joins from Buenos Aires club Belgrano Athletic. He does so with a solid resume and reputation. He …
Read More »Change to Rugby Championship fixture as All Blacks wish granted
There has been a change to the Rugby Championship fixtures. It means that the All Blacks’ Christmas wish has been granted. They will be able to travel home in time for quarantine and thus time with their families on Christmas Day. The change brings forward the final round fixture. New …
Read More »Western Force sign Tomás Cubelli and Julián Montoya
The Western Force have confirmed the signatures of Jaguares and Pumas starters Tomás Cubelli and Julián Montoya. This will be the second Australian stint for scrumhalf Cubelli. For hooker Montoya it may mean a change of plans with a deal to join Leicester Tigers falling through at the last minute …
Read More »