The New England Free Jacks have announced the signing of South African loose forward Lubabalo ‘Tera’ Mtembu on a long-term contract that runs through the 2023 Major League Rugby season. He arrives from Durban after a decade of experience with the Sharks. Mtembu, 29, represented South Africa at the 2010 …

Spanish side Gexto Rugby have signed Mariano Filomeno. The move marks a return to Spain for the former Argentina XV tight head prop. It also sees the promoted Gexto building their player roster as they prepare for the upcoming Division de Honor season. The 29-year-old has prior professional experience with …

Old Glory DC has re-signed promising front rower Jack Iscaro for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. Now just days away from his 23rd birthday, the USA u20 representative will look to make his regular season debut after missing the shortened 2020 season with injury. Iscaro played for Old Glory …

Rugby United New York have announced the signing of tighthead prop Samu Tawake for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. Originally from Suva, Fiji, the 23-year-old arrives from New Zealand where he has lives for the past six years. Tawake was selected in the Fiji u20 squad for the 2014 …

Rugby ATL have announced the signature of Argentina international Bautista Ezcurra. Originally reported in early June, the club has confirmed a deal that runs through the 2022 Major League Rugby season. Ezcurra, 25, arrives with five test caps, including starts against Scotland, South Africa, and New Zealand, and three seasons …

Tiaan Erasmus will make the move from Austin to Houston for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. First reported by Rugby Index, the 24-year-old hooker confirmed a two-year deal with the SaberCats on social media. He announced his departure from Austin earlier this month. Erasmus arrived in Texas from South …

World Rugby has confirmed that no further World Sevens Series events will take place in 2020. Having already cancelled the remainder of the 2019-20 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the opening leg of the 2020-21 season has now suffered the same fate. Dubai and Cape Town were set to …

Bill Beaumont has established an 8 Nations competition. It sees Fiji and Japan joining the six members of the annual 6 Nations tournament. The competition replaces the annual November Internationals that see teams traveling to Europe to play three or four matches. The cancellation of the matches due to COVID-19 …

Russia’s bid to host RWC 2027 has received backing from Russian president Vladimir Putin. The world’s largest country is seeking to stage the tournament for the first time. It is the second country to confirm a bid following Australia. The Russians participated in RWC 2019, facing Japan in the tournament …

Rugby United New York have retained loosehead prop James Rochford for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The 27-year-old joins fellow forwards Dylan Fawsitt, Nate Brakeley, and Kyle Sumsion in signing on for a third MLR campaign with the club. Rochford has been an indispensable member of the front row …

US Eagles flyhalf Will Magie has extended his stay in Austin through the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The 28-year-old arrived at the club earlier this year after departing London Scottish, whom he joined following Rugby World Cup 2019. Unfortunately for Magie the COVID-19 pandemic restricted him to just a …

The Dallas Jackals have announced the signing of Samoan second row Theo McFarland for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. Standing 6’6″ (1.98m), the 24-year-old is the second lock confirmed by the club following Kody O’Neil and adds a considerable lineout presence. McFarland’s aerial prowess is reflected by his athletic …

Agustín Creevy is set to join London Irish from Los Jaguares, reports Sergio Stuart for Argentine publication Olé. An official announcement is expected from London Irish in the coming days. The 35-year-old is the most capped Puma of all-time. He has 89 test caps from 2005-2019 and is the most …

The New England Free Jacks have named a new Head Coach for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. Ryan Martin has been signed on a three-year contract, taking over from Josh Smith who has held the position since the inception of the team in 2018. Smith will continue to be …

Russia has confirmed that it will bid to host Rugby World Cup 2027. The confirmation comes nine months after Russia Rugby CEO and chairman, Stanislav Druzhinin said that the country would indeed bid for RWC 2027. With Russia 2027 official there are now two options for the 11th edition of …

Troy Lockyear has extended his stay with Rugby United New York through the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The versatile backfielder made his professional bow in 2020 after joining the team from the national collegiate champion Cal Golden Bears. Lockyear initially signed as a fullback but played at outside center …

There are three options for Los Jaguares in 2021: play in Australia, South Africa or South America, writes Lisandro Olearo for El Ciudadano. Indications are that Los Jaguares will not disband; the team will play professional rugby in 2021. The destination of Argentina’s first professional side is presently unknown. The …

The idea of a Major League Rugby Sevens tournament continues to make the rounds. A short time ago we posted Jonny Craenen’s fantasy kit designs and the most recent edition of the Rugby Wrap-Up featured a detailed discussion of what the concept might look like. We’re taking it one further …

Super Rugby isn’t the only tournament that has re-started in Australia. Sydney’s storied Shute Shield competition kicked off last weekend with six games. Scattered among the teams were a half-dozen players who suited up in the 2020 Major League Rugby season and one recent USA international. Old Glory DC co-captain …

Old Glory DC have re-signed powerhouse No8 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The 24-year-old is the second returning player confirmed by the club following co-captain and fellow international Thretton Palamo, announced earlier this week. Fa’anana-Schultz will enter his third MLR campaign with considerable momentum. After joining …