Widely regarded as one of the very best players of rugby’s professional era, Dupont will leverage his unparalleled success on the pitch and extensive marketing experience to guide RFCLA’s enduring success in high performance, branding, and commercial development. 

Dupont’s decision to bring his on-field and oJ-field skills and global star power to RFCLA and Major League Rugby (MLR) represents a critical landmark in the development of rugby in the U.S. in the run-up to Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Summer Olympics and the U.S. playing host to the 2031  Men’s Rugby World Cup and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup. 

Dupont’s unique blend of skill, speed, strength, decision making, and leadership has captivated the hearts of his fellow Frenchmen and earned universal accolades from the global rugby community as the best player in the world and the only in history to excel at the highest levels of  15s and 7s in the same calendar year. 

As national team captain, Dupont led France to the 2025 6 Nations title to add to an unprecedented string of achievements in 2024, including an Olympic Gold Medal in 7s rugby in  Paris, championship runs with his club Stade Toulousain in the France Top 14 and European  Professional Club Rugby competitions, and the HSBC SVNS title with France. 

At only 28 years of age, Dupont was named the 2021 World Player of the Year and has helped establish Stade Toulousain as the premier club in Europe, with four Top 14 titles and two European  Champions Cup titles during his tenure there. 

Dupont shared his thoughts about the opportunity ahead: “Rugby is more than just a sport; it’s a  community with strong values. Beyond competitive success on the pitch for RFCLA, I am excited by the opportunity to grow rugby’s popularity in the States and establish an energetic hub of rugby culture that attracts players, fans, teams, and partners from around the world. 

“Los Angeles is a unique place, combining the best of sports, entertainment, fashion, and culture – I can’t think of any other place that provides such opportunities for youth development, high  performance, and commercial success to go hand-in-hand.” 

For RFCLA, this represents a new era. 

“We feel very privileged that Antoine has chosen RFCLA as the pathway to inspire new rugby players and fans and to join us in growing a global rugby brand. He is as dedicated to expanding the  rugby community as he is to competing on the pitch ,and his vision for integrating the athleticism  and core values of rugby will prove invaluable to building a bright future for rugby in LA and  throughout the U.S,.” said CEO Pete Sickle 

For media inquiries on RFCLA, please contact Olivia at: olivia@rugbyfcla.com

The post Antoine Dupont Joins Rugby Football Club Los Angeles Ownership Group appeared first on Major League Rugby.

DALLAS (May 1, 2025) — Major League Rugby is now available to more than 100 countries via linear TV availability, further expanding off of a multiyear agreement with ESPN, bringing the highest level of professional rugby in the United States to a worldwide audience. 

Increasing MLR’s visibility and reach by expanding into a broader international market is one of the league’s many strategic growth plans for 2025. New partners across the globe will showcase opportunities for live featured matches, along with replays to reach a broader audience.

Coverage areas include:

• United States  – ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+
• Sub-Saharan Africa – ESPN Africa 1 & 2
• New Zealand – Sky Sports New Zealand
• United Kingdom & Ireland – Premier Sports
• Australia – Stan Sports
• France, French speaking Europe, Africa and Territories – Sport En France
• Latin America (Miami Sharks) – Disney+
• beIN Sport – MENA

“We are hyperfocused on increasing our audience in both the U.S. and around the world. During our 2024 campaign we grew our viewership by more than 25 percent year over year, and these partnerships will be critical to our growth goals,” said MLR Commissioner Nic Benson. “Given the depth of talent across the league, we are in the midst of our most exciting season yet. These strategic agreements with our broadcast partners will enable more of our fans world-wide to tune in for some best-in-class rugby action.” 

The road to the 2025 MLR Championship features 18 weeks of intense regular season action, followed by two weeks of playoffs, all leading to the MLR Championship on June 28, where the league’s best will battle for the coveted MLR Shield. This season, 11 teams from across the United States are competing for the title, including Anthem RC, Chicago Hounds, Houston SaberCats, Miami Sharks, New England Free Jacks, NOLA Gold, Old Glory DC, Rugby LA, San Diego Legion, Seattle Seawolves, and Utah Warriors.

For more information, visit MajorLeague.Rugby.

About Major League Rugby:

Major League Rugby is a professional sports league representing the highest level of rugby competition in North America. MLR prides itself in fostering intense, high-stakes competition while bringing together a passionate community built on the values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition. Matches are televised on the ESPN family of networks and streamed via ESPN+. MLR’s 11 teams span across the country in Anthem RC, Chicago Hounds, Houston SaberCats, Miami Sharks, New England Free Jacks, NOLA Gold, Old Glory DC, Rugby LA, San Diego Legion, Seattle Seawolves and the Utah Warriors. For more information, visit www.Majorleague.Rugby and follow @USMLR on Twitter and Instagram.

The Rugby Network, MLR’s OTT platform, offers fans the ability to stream select MLR matches, along with Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Premiership Women’s Rugby, collegiate rugby and other international rugby content. 

About Octagon Global Media Rights Consulting:

Octagon’s global media rights consulting division advises more than $26 Billion in media rights for a comprehensive collection of the world’s largest organizations in sports and media, including the NFL, MLR, MLB, NWSL, WWE, NCAA Conferences and Universities, major broadcast and streaming networks, and a variety of other properties across five continents.

As part of its expansive media rights practice, Octagon leverages the strength and size of its proprietary data, research, analytics, and technology, to provide strategic consultation to major domestic and international rights holders, as well as teams, broadcasters, emerging distribution platforms, and the sports investment community

The post Major League Rugby Broadcast Expands to Over 100 Countries Worldwide appeared first on Major League Rugby.

The Chicago Hounds and Lucas Rumball are still on the hunt for perfection in 2025.

The Chicago Hounds captain has been a key player as the team has set the pace in Major League Rugby.

In Week 10, Rumball and his teammates tasted defeat for just the second time in 2025.

The back-row forward scored a try in the team’s 28-22 loss, as the much-changed Midwesterners returned home with just a losing bonus point.

Regardless of the result, Chicago has maintained a frontrunner in the Eastern Conference, and their position makes them favorites of many to lift the Shield later this year.

Even after a start to the season that included a six-game unbeaten run, there is a sense of more to come from the group at SeatGeek Stadium. 

“We’re feeling pretty good,” Rumball said. “We’re happy with where we are. But I wouldn’t say the mood is satisfied.

“There’s still a good bit of hunger around the room in meetings and in training. We still have guys pushing for spots. 

“We’ve been happy with the wins we’ve been getting, but I don’t know if we’re satisfied with the performances in the 80 minutes.

“We have left points out there a few times. Whether it’s completing sets or maybe a ball not going to hand or a mental error.

“You’re always striving for perfection when it comes to the weekend – and it’s probably something you are ever going to achieve in your career. You rarely see someone play a perfect game.

“For us, it’s all about pushing ourselves to the next level and getting better each week so that when the Playoffs come around, we are in a good spot, peaking at the right time.”

Deciphering what is behind Chicago’s electric start to the season is relatively straightforward.

In 2024, the team ventured into the postseason for the first time. 

They went all the way to the Eastern Conference Final, where a 23-17 defeat at the hands of the eventual champions, the New England Free Jacks, was their undoing.

With talent, experience, and guile smattered throughout the squad, it was already clear this team was ready to take another step forward.

To do just that, the team appointed Chris Latham as head coach.

A legendary Australian full-back, who has since forged a reputation as an attack-minded coach, arrived in the Windy City after a year as an assistant with the Seattle Seawolves.

But on top of the scintillating attack, Latham has brought a new mentality to this Hounds team.

“I think the thing that’s changed the most would be the mental and emotional side of things off the field,” Rumball explained. 

“On the field, we strive for a positive environment, celebrating the small victories and the big victories.

“When things don’t go to hand, it’s not about having a go or freaking out. It’s about getting back to what we do, doing what we know.

“That process has probably changed the on-field results. Because if you look at last year, we weren’t losing games by a lot, they were tight losses. I think that mentality shift has made a huge impact.

“With Chris and the team, that change has been evident from day one. 

“They want us to be positive with each other, to be upbeat. A team that’s not afraid of making mistakes or gets down when they do but celebrates things when they come off.

“Every week, we bring it in, bring that focus back to make sure we celebrate what’s going right and fix what’s going wrong. It’s really interesting, because it sounds like a small thing.”

In Week 11, Rumball and his teammates will travel to Zions Bank Stadium to play for the Utah Warriors.

Utah is fresh from a win over its Western Conference rivals, San Diego Legion, and has won four of its past five outings.

Greg Cooper’s team has been in emphatic form and was the only side to beat the Hounds prior to Week 10.

In the weeks after the Hounds play the Utah Warriors in Week, they will take on the Miami Sharks, New England Free Jacks, Rugby Football Club Los Angeles, and Anthem RC in what could be a season-defining run of fixtures.

There is little doubt that this Saturday night clash will offer its challenges.

However, for a Chicago team that aims to get back to winning ways and tighten their grip on their spot in the East, the focus is completely on gaining that full-game performance in a season that Rumball has branded as the most competitive yet.

“Every week this year, it’s a physical battle,” Rumball said. 

“It’s also a skill battle because teams can exploit your weaknesses. You have to be prepped and ready to go every week.

“We just have to continue to grow. We’re chasing that 80-minute performance from the guys, and I don’t think we’ll be satisfied until we get it.

“Every week, you look at the table, and even though teams might not be winning every week, they are still right behind you. I don’t think we feel comfortable.”

The post Looking For Perfection In 2025 – Rumball On Hound Hopes appeared first on Major League Rugby.

DALLAS – Major League Rugby, the premier professional rugby league in North America, is proud to announce that it has named Pawtucket, R.I. as the host site for the 2025 MLR Championship. The Quest for the Shield will culminate at Centreville Bank Stadium on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 2 p.m. (EST) featuring the champions from the Eastern and Western conferences.

After a grueling 16-match regular season, each conference will seed its top four teams in a single elimination tournament beginning on June 14 with the winners squaring off for the revered MLR Shield. All 2025 playoff matches, including the 2025 MLR Championship, will be broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

During last season’s action-packed MLR Championship match, the New England Free Jacks captured a second-straight MLR Shield, beating the Seattle Seawolves, 20-11, in front of a record-setting crowd of 12,085 in San Diego.

“It’s another season of growth and opportunity for Major League Rugby, and we’re thrilled to bring that energy and excitement to one of the best new sports venues in the U.S.,” said Nic Benson, Commissioner of MLR. “The team in Rhode Island has built a remarkable stadium that is going to host some incredible events in the coming years, and we’re excited that the MLR Championship will be the first major sporting event to take the field at Centreville Bank Stadium. We can’t wait to host die-hard rugby fans and welcome in sports fans from across New England to what promises to be another thrilling MLR Championship.”

Pawtucket recently finished construction on the state-of-the-art, 100 percent electric, 10,500-seat stadium, serving as the home of the United Soccer League’s (USL) Rhode Island FC. Nestled along the scenic Seekonk River, the stadium is the flagship destination for sports and entertainment in the Ocean State, hosting other sporting and community events and concerts year-round.

“One of the founding visions behind building Centreville Bank Stadium was to bring world-class events to Rhode Island—sports and entertainment  that unite communities, energize fans, and showcase our state on a national stage,” said Brett M. Johnson, Founder and Chairman of Rhode Island FC, and Centreville Bank Stadium.  “Hosting the Major League Rugby Championship is a powerful validation of our vision, of the world-class quality of our stadium and of our commitment to Rhode Island.”

Having opened in May, the MLR Championship will be the first major championship sporting event to be held at Centreville Bank Stadium.

Ticket information and additional news about the 2025 MLR Championship will be shared in the coming days. Fans can be the first to get all the league news and ticket notifications for the MLR Championship by subscribing at MajorLeague.Rugby today or following @USMLR on social media.

About Major League Rugby:

Major League Rugby is a professional sports league representing the highest level of rugby competition in North America. MLR prides itself in fostering intense, high-stakes competition while bringing together a passionate community built on the values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition. Matches are televised on the ESPN family of networks and streamed via ESPN+. MLR’s 11 teams span across the country in Anthem RC, Chicago Hounds, Houston SaberCats, Miami Sharks, New England Free Jacks, NOLA Gold, Old Glory DC, Rugby LA, San Diego Legion, Seattle Seawolves and the Utah Warriors. For more information, visit www.Majorleague.Rugby and follow @USMLR on Twitter and Instagram.

The Rugby Network, MLR’s OTT platform, offers fans the ability to stream select MLR matches, along with Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Premiership Women’s Rugby, collegiate rugby and other international rugby content.

About Centreville Bank Stadium:

Located in downtown Pawtucket on the banks of the Seekonk River, Centreville Bank Stadium is a state-of-the-art, 100 percent electric, soccer-specific stadium with a 10,500+ capacity. Centreville Bank Stadium is a gamechanger for the state of Rhode Island and will support hundreds of jobs. Centreville Bank Stadium will be the official home of the Rhode Island FC and the multi-use venue is the flagship destination for sports and entertainment in the Ocean State, hosting other sporting and community events and concerts year-round. For more information visit rhodeislandfc.com/centreville-bank-stadium.

Centreville Bank Stadium Brand Guidelines

For use of the Centreville Bank Stadium logo, brand guidelines must be followed. The Centreville Bank Stadium logo and brand guidelines are available for download here.

The post Major League Rugby names new stadium in Rhode Island as location for 2025 MLR Championship appeared first on Major League Rugby.

New England Free Jacks vs RFCLA | Tuesday, April 22 at 7:00 PM ET

US TV: ESPN+

And NBC Sports Boston and FanDuel Sports Network SOCAL

Sub-Saharan Africa: ESPN Africa 1 / ESPN Africa 2 and The Rugby Network
New Zealand: Sky Sports NZ
England/Ireland: Premier Sports and The Rugby Network
Everywhere else: The Rugby Network

Following a 72-hour tape delay, the match will be available to stream for all viewers on The Rugby Network.

Anthem RC vs Seattle Seawolves | Wednesday, April 23 at 7:30 PM ET

US TV: ESPN+

And KZJO Fox 13+

Sub-Saharan Africa: ESPN Africa 1 / ESPN Africa 2 and The Rugby Network
New Zealand: Sky Sports NZ and The Rugby Network
England/Ireland: Premier Sports and The Rugby Network
Everywhere else: The Rugby Network

Following a 72-hour tape delay, the match will be available to stream for all viewers on The Rugby Network.

RFCLA vs San Diego Legion | Saturday, April 26 at 6:00 PM ET

US TV: ESPN+

And FanDuel Sports Network WEST and KUSI

Sub-Saharan Africa: ESPN Africa 1 / ESPN Africa 2 and The Rugby Network
New Zealand: Sky Sports
England/Ireland: Premier Sports and The Rugby Network
Everywhere else: The Rugby Network

Following a 72-hour tape delay, the match will be available to stream for all viewers on The Rugby Network.

Houston Sabercats vs Old Glory DC | Saturday, April 26 at 8:00 PM ET

US TV: ESPN+

And CW39 and Monumental

Sub-Saharan Africa: ESPN Africa 1 / ESPN Africa 2 and The Rugby Network
New Zealand: Sky Sports and The Rugby Network
England/Ireland: Premier Sports and The Rugby Network
Everywhere else: The Rugby Network

Following a 72-hour tape delay, the match will be available to stream for all viewers on The Rugby Network.

Utah Warriors vs Chicago Hounds | Saturday, April 26 at 9:00 PM ET

US TV: ESPN+

And KJZZ and FOX Chicago Plus

Sub-Saharan Africa: ESPN Africa 1 / ESPN Africa 2 and The Rugby Network
New Zealand: Sky Sports and The Rugby Network
England/Ireland: Premier Sports and The Rugby Network
France: Sport en France in French on delay and The Rugby Network (In English)
Everywhere else: The Rugby Network

Following a 72-hour tape delay, the match will be available to stream for all viewers on The Rugby Network.

NOLA Gold vs Seattle Seawolves | SUNDAY, April 27 at 4:00 PM ET

US TV: ESPN+

And KUSI and Gulf Coast Sports + Entertainment Network

Sub-Saharan Africa: ESPN Africa 1 / ESPN Africa 2 and The Rugby Network
New Zealand: Sky Sports
England/Ireland: Premier Sports
Everywhere else: The Rugby Network

Following a 72-hour tape delay, the match will be available to stream for all viewers on The Rugby Network.

Miami Sharks vs Anthem RC | SUNDAY, April 27 at 9:00 PM ET

US TV: ESPN+

And FanDuel Florida App

Sub-Saharan Africa: ESPN Africa 1 / ESPN Africa 2 and The Rugby Network
New Zealand: Sky Sports and The Rugby Network
England/Ireland: Premier Sports
Everywhere else: The Rugby Network

Following a 72-hour tape delay, the match will be available to stream for all viewers on The Rugby Network.

The post How To Watch: April 22-27 appeared first on Major League Rugby.

• 23 Tackles Made
• 11 Ruck Arrivals
• Three Carries Made

Hooker, Pita Anae-Ah Sue – Houston SaberCats

• One Try Scored
• 35 Meters Made
• 10 Tackles Tackles Made

Tighthead Prop, Mason pedersen – Seattle Seawolves

• 20 Tackles Made
• Five Ruck Arrivals
• Two Ball Carries Made

Left Lock,  Tevita Naqali – Old Glory DC 

• One Try Scored
• 16 Tackles Made
• 17 Ruck Arrivals

Right Lock, Matt Jensen – Utah Warriors

• 19 Tackles Made
• 28 Ruck Arrivals
• Six Ball Carries Made

Blindside Flanker, Jed Melvin – New England Free Jacks

• One Try Scored
• 24 Tackles Made
• 71 Meters Made

Openside Flanker, Charles Elton – Seattle Seawolves

• 27 Tackles Made
• 28 Ruck Arrivals
• Three Ball Carries Made

No 8., Sam Tuifua – Houston SaberCats

• One Try Scored
• 107 Meters Made
• 10 Tackles Made

Scrum-half, Zion Going – Utah Warriors

• One Try Scored
• 48 Meters Made
• 50 Kicking Meters

Fly-half, Rodney Iona – Seattle Seawolves

• 13 Points Scored
• 52 Meters Made
• Nine Tackles Made

Left Wing, Paula Balekana – New England Free Jacks

• Two Tries Scored
• 123 Meters Made
• Seven Tackles Made

Inside Center, D’angelo Leuila – Utah Warriors

• Six Points Scored
• 71 Meters Made
• 130 Kicking Meters

Outside Center, Matias Orlando – Miami Sharks

• One Try Scored
• 10 Tackles Made
• 36 Meters Made

Right Wing, Nic Benn – Utah Warriors

• 100 Kicking Meters
• 81 Meters Made
• Six Tackles Made

Fullback, Shane O’Leary – Miami Sharks

• 15 Points Scored
• 36 Meters Made
• 42 Kicking Meters

The post First XV | WK 10 | 2025 appeared first on Major League Rugby.

New England Free Jacks vs San Diego Legion | SATURDAY, April 12 at 2:00 PM ET

US TV: ESPN+

And NBC Sports Boston and KUSI

Sub-Saharan Africa: ESPN Africa 1 / ESPN Africa 2 and The Rugby Network
New Zealand: Sky Sports NZ
UK/Ireland: Premier Sports and The Rugby Network
France: Sport en France in French on delay and The Rugby Network
Everywhere else: The Rugby Network

Following a 72-hour tape delay, the match will be available to stream for all viewers on The Rugby Network.

NOLA Gold vs Old glory dc | Saturday, April 12 at 7:00 PM ET

US TV: ESPN+

And Gulf Coast Sports + Entertainment Network and Monumental

Sub-Saharan Africa: ESPN Africa 1 / ESPN Africa 2 and The Rugby Network
New Zealand: Sky Sports and The Rugby Network
UK/Ireland: Premier Sports and The Rugby Network
Everywhere else: The Rugby Network

Following a 72-hour tape delay, the match will be available to stream for all viewers on The Rugby Network.

Miami Sharks vs Houston SaberCats | Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 PM ET

US TV: ESPN+

And FanDuel Florida and CW39

Sub-Saharan Africa: ESPN Africa 1 / ESPN Africa 2 and The Rugby Network
New Zealand: Sky Sports NZ and The Rugby Network
UK/Ireland: Premier Sports
Everywhere else: The Rugby Network

Following a 72-hour tape delay, the match will be available to stream for all viewers on The Rugby Network.

RFCLA vs Utah Warriors | Saturday, April 12 at 10:00 PM ET

US TV: ESPN+

And FanDuel Sports Network West and KJZZ

Sub-Saharan Africa: ESPN Africa 1 / ESPN Africa 2 and The Rugby Network
New Zealand: Sky Sports
UK/Ireland: Premier Sports and The Rugby Network
Everywhere else: The Rugby Network

Following a 72-hour tape delay, the match will be available to stream for all viewers on The Rugby Network.

Chicago Hounds vs Anthem RC | Sunday, April 13 at 2:00 PM ET

US TV: ESPN+

And Fox Chicago Plus

Sub-Saharan Africa: ESPN Africa 1 / ESPN Africa 2 and The Rugby Network
New Zealand: Sky Sports and The Rugby Network
UK/Ireland: Premier Sports
Everywhere else: The Rugby Network

Following a 72-hour tape delay, the match will be available to stream for all viewers on The Rugby Network.

The post How To Watch: April 12-13 appeared first on Major League Rugby.

Week 7 of Major League Rugby was intense, and now everyone needs a quick breakdown.

Five enthralling encounters took place from one coast to the other, and five teams came out on top to further their own cause as the Eastern and Western Conferences continue to take shape.

RFCLA, the Chicago Hounds, Houston SaberCats, Seattle Seawolves and New England Free Jacks ended the seventh week of 2025 as winners.

Here is a little reminder of how things went over the weekend…

RFCLA 54-44 OLD GLORY DC

Rugby Football Club Los Angeles won their third game in a row after edging Old Glory DC in a 98-point thriller.

It was an action-packed first half that started with Nick Grigg opening the scoring for DC just two minutes into the game. Ed Timpson and Billy Meakes scored LA tries, and Jason Robertson kicked three Old Glory penalties. 

Even with Maliu Niuafe in the sin bin, Ben Houston dotted down for the home team.

Old Glory were awarded a penalty try ahead of half-time after LA’s Gonzalo Bertranou illegally entered the driving maul and was also shown a yellow card for his troubles. 

LA ended the first half with 13 players after Andrew Coe was also sent to the sin bin.

When the second half resumed, DC made the most of that extra space on the pitch with a superb Jack Iscaro score.

FRONT ROW TRY

via @usmlr @ESPNPlus @OldGloryDC pic.twitter.com/qjIYKy6ZUz

— The Rugby Network (@therugbynetwork) March 29, 2025

Timpson and Christian Dyer’s tries breathed new life into the host’s challenge, only for a penalty try and a second yellow card for Bertranou for a no-arms tackle to make things interesting again.

Despite being reduced to one player again, LA rallied to score through Mikey Sosene-Feagai, a move that saw DC’s KoiKoi Nelligan go to the sin bin.

Joe Wrafter went to the sin bin three minutes after his introduction to the game for Old Glory and was joined by John Rizzo in the 69th minute for dragging back Coe as the Canadian wing looked certain to score.

To end a highly competitive clash, Martin Vaca scored for DC, and to win the game outright, Tas Smith finished off a Reece MacDonald break.

NOLA GOLD 18-20 CHICAGO HOUNDS

Just two points separated the Chicago Hounds from the NOLA Gold at full-time in Louisiana.

It was a closely contested clash from start to finish, in which the Gold took an early lead with a Dorian Jones penalty and Julian Roberts try, while Chicago’s Nate Augspurger was shown a yellow card.

Chicago ended the first half with 14 players on the field after Lucas Rumball saw yellow and allowed Jones to knock over a second penalty. Dylan Fawsitt crossed the whitewash on the stroke of half-time to get the Hounds into the contest.

To take the lead Chris Hilsenbeck and Maclean Jones both went over the try line while JP du Plessis was in the sin bin.

A Hilsenbeck penalty took the Hounds out of sight, although a late Aidan King try brought the scoreline to two points.

HOUSTON SABERCATS 34-14 SAN DIEGO LEGION

The Houston SaberCats ended San Diego Legion’s unbeaten start to the season with a comprehensive 34-14 victory.

Both teams enjoyed a bright start as the Texas sun set, and Davy Coetzer opened the scoring after Legion’s Brandon Harvey was shown a yellow card for targeting the legs of Ezekiel Lindenmuth.

San Diego did register a try through Shilo Klein before the SaberCats ended the first half strongly with Andre Warner and Coetzer tries.

Shilo Klein gets over the line on the quick-tap to kickoff the scoring! SD lead 7-0

https://t.co/N1YhUY5UJQ#HOUvSD | #MLR2025 pic.twitter.com/CcCicfypD5

— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) March 30, 2025

Houston was awarded a penalty try early in the second half, and Jed Holloway was sent to the sin bin for dragging down a driving maul. Rufus McLean added another try to the hosts’ tally shortly before Holloway returned to the field.

To end the contest, AJ Alatimu kicked a penalty in the final five minutes, and Christian Poidevin scored a consolation try for San Diego after Pita Anae-Ah Sue received a yellow card.

The two teams are now level on points at the top of the Western Conference, with Legion remaining on top thanks to their superior points difference.

Final stats from @HOUSaberCats vs @SDLegion

Final Score: 34-14

Smart Ball data and insights brought to you by @Sportable #HOUvSD | #MLR2025 pic.twitter.com/UE0q0P1gU0

— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) March 30, 2025

SEATTLE SEAWOLVES 25-17 ANTHEM RC

A strong second-half performance took the Seattle Seawolves to a 25-17 win over Anthem RC.

The visitors, who became the first MLR team to take to the field with an all-domestic roster, had the lead at half-time thanks to a Tomalati Ma’afu try. Seattle had a foothold in the clash with a Rod Iona penalty.

After Mitch Wilson extended Anthem’s lead with a penalty, the Seawolves hit back with tries for Toni Pulu and a Divan Rossouw brace.

With Seattle’s Mason Pedersen and Anthem’s Karl Keane in the sin bin, Malacchi Esdale scored his fourth try of the season and took the hosts out of sight.

In the 77th minute, Anthem’s replacement loosehead prop Jake Turnbull rumbled over for the final score of the game.

UTAH WARRIORS 26-33 NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS

An 80th-minute Andrew Quattrin try handed the New England Free Jacks victory over the Utah Warriors.

A second-half fightback from the back-to-back champions handed Ryan Martin’s team victory over their Western Conference opponents.

It was a result that looked unlikely at half-time, as tries for Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli, Nic Benn, and Kyle Brown gave the Warriors a 26-5 lead at Zions Bank Stadium.

Jero Gomez Vara’s unconverted score gave New England a lifeline going into the next 40 minutes, which the Free Jacks dominated from start to finish.

It started with a Cam Nordli-Kelemeti effort before Brock Webster and Oscar Lennon’s tries, which were converted by Faletol Peni, to level the scores in the final quarter.

With Utah looking increasingly unlikely to fire the shot that could have secured them five points, New England continued to pile pressure onto the hosts with ferocious defense and calculated attack.

Paul Lasike’s yellow card for a neck roll was the Free Jacks’ green light to win the contest. After turning the ball over, Joe Johnston charged into the Utah half, offloaded the ball to Josiah Morra and then Oscar Lennon to plant New England deep in Warriors’ territory.

Making carry after carry, the Free Jacks got to the try line and when Quattrin got his hands on the ball, drove low toward the whitewash and won the contest.

The post Major League Rugby Week 7 Recap appeared first on Major League Rugby.

Sam Hill believes that last year’s heartbreak can fuel the Houston SaberCats’ title chances in 2025.

During his first season with Pote Human’s team, Hill helped the Texans set the pace in Major League Rugby with a 14-2 regular season record and enter the postseason as the top seed.

However, despite their good form and prominence in the regular season, the team exited the postseason in the Western Conference semi-final after a 34-22 loss to the Dallas Jackals.

Now approaching Week 7 of the 2025 campaign, Houston looks to have maintained some of that form. 

Photo by Oscar Herrera

The team’s only loss this season came at the hands of the Chicago Hounds in Week 1, and the side showed great resolve in overcoming a rampant Anthem RC thanks to a late Davy Coetzer penalty last weekend.

Heartbreak in Charlotte for @AnthemRugby fans as they come oh-so-close to making history. @HOUSaberCats win 46-45 on the road

https://t.co/N1YhUY6szo#ARCvHOU | #MLR2025 pic.twitter.com/2m2XYvjooo

— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) March 23, 2025

Currently second in the Western Conference, Hill and his team will host an unbeaten San Diego Legion at SaberCats Stadium this Saturday night in the second game of a 10-game stretch that will dictate much of the team’s season.

“It feels pretty similar,” Hill, when asked what has changed for Houston, said. 

“I think the only difference is that the boys are more confident.

“They’re probably more aware of what we can achieve if we play to our potential.

“There’s a really good atmosphere around the team. A good vibe. There is good depth in the squad, and some good players.

“And the coaching staff and Pote are doing a really good job ensuring the culture is in a good place. That helps.”

Photo by Oscar Herrera

It is that culture that Hill believes sets the SaberCats apart.

Developed throughout 2024 as a new set of players grew closer together as the season worked on, Hill sees those relationships as key to success.

During his time with boyhood club Exeter Chiefs in the English Premiership, the 31-year-old was part of a tight-knit group of players that won the English top flight in 2017, the LV= Cup in 2014, and an Anglo-Welsh Cup in 2018.

In the months after Hill left Devon for Sale Sharks in a Covid-disrupted 2019/20 season, the Exeter team went on to complete a Premiership and Champions Cup double.

Upon his arrival at the Sharks, he set about trying to develop the same closeness with his new team.

Combined with the addition of Alex Sanderson as Director of Rugby in 2021, that nurturing of culture culminated in the club reaching the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership Final at Allianz Stadium, where they lost out to Saracens.

“The first year, it was a bit of a shock going from Exeter to Sale,” Hill said. “It was very cliquey and a lot of different groups that stuck together. 

“I don’t want to say that I brought in culture there at all, but I did try to bring in stuff I got from Exeter.

“Then Al Sanderson came in (as Director of Rugby in 2021). He was at Sarries (Saracens), and they had the same sort of thing with their culture as Exeter.

“He played a massive part in bringing everyone together. It played a massive part in bringing everyone together. It was a night and day difference. 

“The second year I was there, everyone was closer, and it was purely down to Al bringing in that culture. He was really big for it.” 

It was the environment in Houston and the intention to lift silverware after falling short last year that motivates Hill’s every move now.

Photo by Oscar Herrera

Now a third of the way into the 2025 regular season, the 31-year-old is under no illusions that there is plenty more to come in a yellow and black jersey this year.

“I came back because I really enjoyed it,” Hill said. “I really enjoyed the culture, and I got along with the boys here and the staff.

“I also just feel like we didn’t do ourselves justice last year. I want to go further this year and try to win the Championship. That is the main goal.”

Hill has recaptured his enjoyment for rugby again with Houston.

Before coming to MLR, the center had endured an injury-disrupted end to his time with Sale.

He spent a combined total of 12 months on the sideline after he tore his hamstring off the bone on two separate occasions.

In many ways, the center’s move to MLR was inspired by his former housemate, Will Hooley.

The former USA international spent two seasons in Devon and ended his career with the San Diego Legion in 2023 before joining the league as a Technical Director. 

Having heard nothing but positive news about the competition and after finishing with Sale it seemed like the perfect change of pace.

Aside from playing rugby sevens in Dubai for an invitational team as the only professional, the 31-year-old spent the entire offseason getting his body ready to help the SaberCats lift the Shield for the first time.

“The thing I like here is that it is a short season,” Hill explained. “You play for six months, and I feel like that break you get, you feel fresher coming into the season.

“In England, you’re constantly carrying a niggle or something, and you have a little bit of time off but come back still not feeling fresh. 

“Here you get that time off, so you’ve just recovered mentally, and you feel really fresh.

“I stopped enjoying it in England because it is so relentless. I got over it in the last few years. 

“I’m hoping, touch wood, I can stay injury-free and play a part in something special this year.”

Watch the Houston SaberCats take on the San Diego Legion live on ESPN+ in the USA and on The Rugby Network in the rest of the world.

The squad is set! Don’t miss International Night presented by @Platypusbrewing

SaberCats vs. @SDLegion
Gates Open 6pm // Kickoff 7pm
Get your tickets NOW—link in bio!#MLR2025 #HTownRugby #ExperienceItLive pic.twitter.com/igevj0qm1A

— Houston SaberCats (@HOUSaberCats) March 28, 2025

The post ‘Houston Culture The Difference Maker’ – Sam Hill appeared first on Major League Rugby.

• Women’s Eagles prepare for RWC 2025 in England, while Men’s Eagles push for RWC 2027 qualification

• Fixtures represent a major step in World Rugby’s U.S. growth strategy, expanding the sport’s reach and commercial potential

• Women’s rugby central to the plan, with home fixtures spotlighting top female athletes and inspiring future generations

• Landmark matches underscore USA’s place as a major rugby nation in the global calendar, fuelling long-term investment and growth.

Washington, D.C., (March 18th, 2025) – USA Rugby and World Rugby are pleased to partner with TEG Sport to host a series of world-class international rugby matches across four cities in 2025, as the USA Eagles embark on a landmark year on the global rugby stage. 

This initiative is a key pillar of World Rugby’s commitment to growing the sport in the U.S in partnership with USA Rugby and key stakeholders, driving fan engagement, commercial investment, and high-performance opportunities for the Eagles ahead of hosting Rugby World Cups in 2031 (men) and 2033 (women). 

With the Women’s Eagles targeting success at the biggest-ever Rugby World Cup in England later this year and the Men’s Eagles chasing Australia 2027 qualification, an exciting schedule of 12 international matches on American soil will provide unprecedented access for fans, boosting engagement and driving rugby’s national impact. 

The first six fixtures span five match weekends, with Pacific Nations Cup hosting details to follow on April 16: 

• April 26 – USA Women vs. Japan, Wallis Annenberg Stadium, UCLA, Los Angeles (a double header with the Major League Rugby match featuring RFCLA vs. San Diego Legion)

• May 2 – USA Women vs. Canada, CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO

• July 5 – USA Men vs. Netherlands, American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte, NC

• July 12 – USA Men vs. Spain, American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte, NC

• July 19 – Double Header: USA Men vs. England & USA Women vs. Fiji, Audi Field, Washington, D.C. 

Tickets go on sale March 28th at usa.rugby/tickets with pre-sales beginning on March 27th.  

REGISTER FOR PRE-SALE at usa.rugby/matchseries   

The expanded test schedule builds on the announcement of New Zealand vs. Ireland at Soldier Field, Chicago (Nov. 1), alongside LA’s HSBC SVNS World Championship Final (May 3-4)— making this truly a landmark year for rugby in the U.S. 

World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson: “The U.S. is a rapidly growing rugby market with strong commercial and hosting interest ahead of the 2031 and 2033 Rugby World Cups. This test series reflects our ambition to build a sustainable competition calendar that enhances performance, attracts new audiences, and fuels rugby’s growth.” 

Tickets are also on sale now for the HSBC Rugby SVNS Series in Los Angeles, May 3rd and 4th at this link.  

USA Rugby CEO Bill Goren: “This marks a special year for USA Rugby with the initial announcement of our home events series. We’re thrilled to bring the Men’s and Women’s Eagles to fans coast-to-coast, in the largest slate of home matches since 2019. With Rugby World Cup stakes on the line for both teams, rugby fans can expect the very best rugby in stadiums this year.” 

TEG Sport CEO Geoff Jones: “We are delighted to be a part of this exceptional list of rugby matches on U.S. soil. The American fans have shown they are hungry for more top-quality international rugby, and this slate of games represents exactly that. We look forward to continuing to support bringing the best teams in the world to the United States, as we head towards the monumental occasions of having both Rugby World Cups in America in a few years.”

About USA Rugby

Established in 1975, USA Rugby is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of rugby in America and a Full Sport Member of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Currently headquartered in Glendale, Colorado, USA Rugby is charged with developing the game on all levels and has more than 100,000 active members across the Youth, High School, College and Senior club level. USA Rugby oversees four national teams, multiple age-grade programs, and an emerging Olympic development pathway for elite athletes. In 2031 and 2033, USA Rugby will welcome the world for the Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cup, the pinnacle event in the sport and third largest in the word. Visit usa.rugby for more information. 

About World Rugby

World Rugby is the global governing body for rugby union. With a mandate to grow the sport by increasing accessibility and relevance, World Rugby is the owner and organizer of some of the world’s largest sporting events, including the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups. Owing to the commercial success of men’s Rugby World Cup France 2023, World Rugby is investing a record £300 million directly in rugby’s growth between 2024-27, a 28 per cent increase on the previous four-year cycle. With men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups taking place in England (women, 2025), Australia (men 2027 and women 2029) and the USA (men 2031 and women 2033), World Rugby has an transformative runway of certainty and opportunity to drive new participation and revenue opportunities.  

About TEG Sport

TEG Sport is a producer and promoter of live sporting events featuring the world’s biggest sporting teams and brands. TEG Sport is owned by TEG, a leading global live entertainment, ticketing, and technology business which operates globally and includes Ticketek, Ticketek Marketplace, Ticketek UK, Ticketek New Zealand, Ticketek Malaysia, Ticketek Philippines, Ticketek Singapore, Eventopia, Softix, TEG Dainty, TEG Sport, TEG Van Egmond, Laneway Festival, Handsome Tours, SXSW Sydney, TEG Theatrical, MJR Presents, TEG Life Like Touring, Brickman, TEG Rockefeller, TEG Rugby Live, TEG Europe, Propaganda, TEG Live USA, Qudos Bank Arena, FAN+, VIP NOW, and Ovation. 

The post USA RUGBY SET FOR LANDMARK 2025 HOME EVENT SERIES IN MASSIVE RUGBY WORLD CUP YEAR FOR MEN’S AND WOMEN’S EAGLES appeared first on Major League Rugby.