USA

The penultimate week of the regular season starts in Queens, where Rugby United New York host the Houston SaberCats at Belson Stadium early Saturday afternoon. For one team it’s a vital match with playoff implications, for the other an attempt to stop an unflattering losing streak. New York’s postseason chances …

US Eagles prospect Nafi Ma’afu has been promoted to Perpignan’s senior squad ahead of their return to the Top 14. The 23-year-old lock or blindside flanker has signed a two-year contract that will keep him in France through to Rugby World Cup 2023. Ma’afu has been at the club since …

The USA Eagles will conclude their July tour on Saturday. In their second of two matches the North Americans take-on Ireland in Dublin. It is to be the first of two matches between the countries this year. The second is scheduled after the RWC 2023 qualifiers. Irish Head Coach Andy …

USA forward Ben Pinkelman has been forced to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics. A stand-in captain when required for Madison Hughes, the 2016 select and Rugby World Cup 2019 flanker will miss the Games with a chronic back injury that has not responded to treatment. Pinkelman is set to undergo …

It was a short week in terms of action with only four games played but there were some truly remarkable efforts with two significant results. The two games that did not have any influence on the playoff picture each provided strong entertainment value. With so many players away on test …

The Houston SaberCats have announced the signing of Heyneke Meyer as their new Director of Rugby for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. He succeeds Paul Healy in the role and will assume complete oversight of all rugby operations including the Rugby HTX academy program. Meyer, 53, is a world-renowned …

Riekert Hattingh is free to play against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday. The Eagles back row was cited for foul play during his test debut on Sunday, with the match commissioner deeming his aerial challenge on England fullback Freddie Steward to be worthy of review. Referee Andrew Brace initially awarded …

The New England Free Jacks will have a new Head Coach when they return to action next season. Ryan Martin will depart at season’s end, opting to take up a two-year deal as Attack Coach for the Melbourne Rebels of Super Rugby. Martin joined the Free Jacks in July, signing …

Paul Lasike will not play again this year. In fact the US Eagles star could spend up to nine months on the sidelines after rupturing an Achilles tendon while training with club side Harlequins last month. It’s a heavy blow for the 31-year-old, who will now miss the upcoming Rugby …

Will Magie has joined the US Eagles camp ahead of Saturday’s test against Ireland in Dublin. The 29-year-old flyhalf or fullback replaces Will Hooley in the squad. Hooley was a late withdrawal from the lineup against England after failing a head injury assessment. A member of the 2019 World Cup …