Match order is fundamental in sport. Some teams can be eliminated early based on how their matches are distributed. This issue has occurred repeatedly at RWCs. There are a number of reasons for this, none more so than organizers positioning key pool matches at certain points of the pool phase. …

The LA Giltinis have confirmed the signing of Belmont Shore winger Visesio Leasi for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. An imposing figure at 6’2″ (1.88m) and 240lbs (110kg), it’s the first professional contract for the 23-year-old. Leasi was born in American Samoa and played for Samoa Schools against Australia …

Old Glory DC has secured a partnership with The St. James as their full-time training facility for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The sports complex, located in nearby Springfield, Virginia, served as the venue for the team’s two preseason games prior to the 2020 campaign. In addition to the …

Mike Shepherd will play a fourth Major League Rugby season with the Seattle Seawolves. The 31-year-old hooker has extended his stay with the two-time champions, becoming the 13th player to renew during the off-season and third front rower. Injuries have disrupted Shepherd’s involvement with the team during his the first …

The Newcastle Falcons have signed Santiago Grondona from Los Jaguares. The Northern English side play in England’s elite level competition, the English Premiership. Newcastle have confirmed contracts for both Grondona and Mateo Carreras until the end of the season. Grondona joins hot on the heels of making his test debut. …

The LA Giltinis will welcome a third player from Darren Coleman’s Shute Shield-winning Gordon side for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. Having already confirmed hooker Mahe Vailanu and scrumhalf Harrison Goddard, LA will bring in front rower Robbie Abel to help bolster the scrum. At 28 years old Charlie …

The Greene King IPA Championship, England’s second division, will begin a drastically reduced season on the weekend of March 6. Having conceded six months to the pandemic, the 12-team competition will now be split into two conferences with each side playing 10 regular season games. It remains to be seen …

Italy have confirmed their test calendar for 2021. In addition to their annual Six Nations fixtures there is a two-match series against the All Blacks in July, with a third match against New Zealand in November followed by tests against Argentina and Uruguay. The Azzurri were due to tour the …

The Bristol Bears have signed Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro from Los Jaguares. It marks a return to the UK for the 31-year-old. He previously played in the Pro 14 for the Dragons in 2013-2014. The experienced prop has also previously played for Lyon and Stade Français in the Top 14 and …

Up and Under is a weekly exclusive on Americas Rugby News. It covers the best and worst from games involving the Americas players and teams over the previous week.   UP 2021 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby The second edition of the Súper Liga American de Rugby (SLAR) will have …