Canada

Opening day at the Dubai Sevens was challenging for the Americas teams in the Women’s bracket. Remarkably it’s Brazil who are the highest ranked of the three, with points differential putting them ahead of the USA in Pool A and Canada’s mark in Pool B. As Yaras very nearly upset …

Rugby ATL have signed South African forwards John-Roy Jenkinson and Justin Basson for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. Tighthead prop Jenkinson joins from Super Rugby Unlocked side Griquas while second row Basson most recently played for the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship. Jenkinson, 30, represented South Africa u20 …

Old Glory have re-signed Fijian international Apisai Naikatini for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The 36-year-old second row will play in his third season with the DC side and fourth all told in MLR. He was part of the title-winning Seattle Seawolves side in 2019. Naikatini’s outstanding form in …

The Toronto Arrows have confirmed their coaching staff for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. As expected there are changes with Peter Smith promoted to Head Coach and former Chile prop Francisco Deformes hired as the new Forwards Coach. Smith takes over the lead role from Chris Silverthorn, who has …

The World Sevens Series makes its return on Friday (late Thursday in the Americas) when the first of two tournaments in Dubai kicks off. Both Men’s and Women’s teams will be in action as the Series begins to work its way back from the severely truncated 2021 campaign. Though a …

New York have made their first player announcements of the off-season with confirmation that Andy Ellis, Dylan Fawsitt, and Nate Brakeley have re-signed for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The trio acted as the senior player leadership group in 2021 with Fawsitt club captain. Ellis enjoyed his first season …

Samu Manoa will stay on for another year with the Seattle Seawolves. The former US Eagles star has re-signed for a third Major League Rugby campaign having returned in 2021 from a long hiatus. After skipping out on the entirety of the 2020 season, Manoa unexpectedly re-joined the Seawolves in …

The Austin Gilgronis have announced the signing of scrumhalf Ryan Louwrens for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. He arrives from the Kintetsu Liners in Japan but the 30-year-old is best known for his five-year Super Rugby career. Originally from South Africa, Louwrens moved to Australia as a teenager. After …

World Rugby Council have approved dramatic eligibility changes to international rugby that will allow players to represent a second nation after a three-year stand-down period from their last ‘binding’ representative appearance for their first nation. According to Uruguayan journalist Ignacio Chans, the vote passed by a vote of 39 in …

The New England Free Jacks have signed flanker Slade McDowall on a three-year deal through the 2024 Major League Rugby season. He arrives from Otago having previously played for New Zealand Schools and trialed for his country’s u20 side. Though just 23 years of age McDowall has already played five …