USA

The New England Free Jacks have confirmed the return of Ronan McCusker for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. He continues an existing contract and joins Jackson Thiebes in the team’s second row stocks publicly revealed thus far. McCusker, 25, lined up for the team in their initial exhibition matches …

It is official: the process is underway for the USA’s bid to host RWC 2031. The national governing body, USA Rugby, announced the formation of a speciality group of American rugby stakeholders to conduct a feasibility study. It will investigate the capability of hosting a Rugby World Cup in the …

JP Eloff has signed a one-year extension with the NOLA Gold. Already under contract for 2021, the new deal sees him committed to the club through the 2022 Major League Rugby season. Injury delayed the start of the 2020 campaign for Eloff. He recovered in time to start the last …

Quentin Newcomer has signed a new three-year deal with the New England Free Jacks that will run through the 2023 Major League Rugby season. The 24-year-old tighthead prop played four matches in the abbreviated 2020 season, his first as a professional. Hailing from Fairfax, Virginia, Newcomer is – ironically and …

Mike Brown will return to Texas for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. Having spent the 2018 season with Austin on loan, the Rugby United New York hooker has signed with the expansion Dallas Jackals. Brown started 7 of 8 games for the Elite but has used as primary backup …

Charlie Connolly and Thomas Morani have re-signed with the Houston SaberCats for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The duo are set for a third and second season with the club, respectively, and make it 11 returning players confirmed publicly to date. Connolly is still a month away from his …

New Zealand’s provincial competition – the Mitre 10 Cup – is set to kick off on Friday with a full slate of seven games scheduled over the weekend. There are 14 teams competing this season, seven in each of the Premiership and Championship divisions, though there is crossover between the …

This past week notably saw the return of the Top 14 and Pro D2 in France. It opened the door for new contenders for our weekly selection. Tyler Ardron enjoyed a winning debut, while Benjamín Urdapilleta kicked 16 points in the away win over Agen. Juan Imhoff got his season …

The New England Free Jacks have signed Bay of Plenty flanker Joe Johnston on a two-year deal through the 2022 Major League Rugby season. Born and raised in New Zealand, the 22-year-old qualifies for the USA through his American mother, a native of Boston. Johnston captained both the Bay of …

Japan are prepared to host the troubled Summer Olympic Games regardless of any complication imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, says the country’s Olympic Minister. Seiko Hashimoto spoke at a media conference on Tuesday to reassure the public that the Games would go on in 2021. “Everyone involved is working together …