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 Cayman Islands complete remarkable rebound against Mexico The Cayman Islands celebrated a home win over Mexico on Saturday. The …

Uruguay qualified for the World Rugby Junior World Trophy. Los Teritos did so by completing an impressive home win 62-14 over Chile at Paysandú on Sunday. The match was the final fixture of the South American u19’s. In early matches Uruguay and Chile had both fallen to defeats against Argentina. Los …

It was a good day for USA Rugby in Cape Town as the Men’s Eagles followed the Women’s lead in winning the Bronze Final. The result moves them into a tie with New Zealand on 44 competition points, while Samoa’s Cup Final win over South Africa sees those two sides …

Make it back-to-back Bronze for the Women’s Eagles on the World Sevens Series. The USA defeated Ireland to finish 3rd in Cape Town and build an 8-point buffer in the race for automatic Olympic Qualification. A shorthanded Canadian side finished in 8th spot, one better than Dubai, while Brazil broke …

The Cayman Islands celebrated a home win over Mexico on Saturday. The 35-14 win sees the teams splitting a two-match-series. The first game was played in Mexico City in 2021 with Las Serpientes winning 39-13. The Caymans’ win over Las Serpientes on Saturday was not only a strong response to the …

Old Glory DC have signed New Zealand Sevens star Kurt Baker for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. The 34-year-old will act as an Assistant Coach for the backs while also suiting up as a player. He is primarily a fullback but can also play outside center or wing. Baker …

The Chicago Hounds have acquired scrumhalf Sean Yacoubian from the New England Free Jacks in exchange for salary cap considerations. A Saint Mary’s Gaels graduate, he has previously represented Scotland u20 before playing with the USA Selects (now Falcons) in 2021. Yacoubian made his Major League Rugby debut with the …

The San Diego Legion have signed a pair of loosehead prop in Djustice ‘DJ’ Sears-Duru and Faka’osi ‘Oti’ Pifeleti. Sears-Duru arrives from the LA Giltinis by way of New England, with the Free Jacks receiving salary cap considerations in exchange for his rights. Pifeleti’s returns to San Diego from Austin, …

The Men’s Eagles followed the lead of their Women’s counterparts in reaching the Semi Finals of the Cape Town Sevens. It guarantees a jump into the coveted top-four on the overall standings that will determine automatic Olympic Qualification at season’s end. Three tries from Lucas Lacamp led the Eagles to …

Uruguay are celebrating another historic moment on the World Sevens Series. Los Teros finished second in Pool B to reach the Cup Quarter Finals in Cape Town. It’s the first time they have qualified for the Cup draw of the knockout stage under the modern format. They had previously reached …

The USA are into the Final Four of the Women’s bracket at the Cape Town Sevens. It follows up on their Bronze finish in last weekend’s tournament in Dubai. Canada will compete for 5th place on Sunday, with Brazil aiming for a best-possible 9th place spot. A late try from …

Tyler Ardron has suspended his test career with Canada. The leading Canadian rugby player in the world today has taken the decision to focus on playing for his professional team, Castres in France’s Top 14. Ardron’s international retirement comes at the age of 31. He has 38 test caps to …

The Dallas Jackals have signed Martín Elías. The recruitment sees a leading Argentine-based fly half now on his way to play in Major League Rugby (MLR) 2023. Elías joins after previously having played for Los Ceibos and Los Jaguares XV in Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR). Aged 26, Elías …

Gary Gold is no longer the head coach of the USA Men’s Eagles, USA Rugby has confirmed. It comes after the Eagles elimination from the World Cup in the repechage qualifying tournament. The USA missed out on sealing a place at Rugby World Cup 2023 yet will host Rugby World …

Rugby New York will play in a brand new stadium for the 2023 Major League Rugby season and beyond. The defending champions make the move from New Jersey to Mount Vernon’s Memorial Field. Located in Westchester County, the new facility is just minutes 3 miles west of where the team …

It’s been a whirlwind off-season for James Vaifale but the former Utah Warriors winger has finally found his new team for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. He was initially traded to NOLA, then selected by Chicago in the Expansion Draft, then returned to the Gold after no deal was …

Argentina are the 2022 South American u19 champions. Los Pumitas secured the title on Wednesday with a dominant display against Chile. Argentina won the match 99-0 at Paysandú, Uruguay. It followed a 47-15 win over Uruguay also at Paysandú on Saturday. Argentina’s place as the very best in South America, …

Carlo de Nysschen is staying in Texas, but it won’t be the Dallas Jackals who he plays with in 2023. The 26-year-old scrumhalf has signed on with the Houston SaberCats, his fourth Major League Rugby team having also featured for the Colorado Raptors and San Diego Legion. This past season …

The Seattle Seawolves have added another reinforcement to their front row. Loosehead prop Jake Turnbull follows tighthead Mason Pedersen in making the move to the Pacific Northwest from the Austin Gilgronis. Both players were selected by Seattle in the Dispersal Draft. Turnbull joins his fourth Major League Rugby side. After …

Long-time NOLA Gold star JP Eloff will be playing for a new team in the 2023 Major League Rugby season. The 31-year-old USA international has been acquired by the expansion Chicago Hounds in exchange for salary cap considerations. Primarily a fullback, he is also comfortable at flyhalf and inside center. …