Rugby ATL did just enough to defeat Rugby United New York by 10-9 in an arm-wrestling match at Lupo Family Field on Saturday night. In doing so the Ratlers claim the Eastern Conference title and book their place in next week’s grand finale. Bautista Ezcurra had the first chance for …

You would be forgiven if you thought you had seen this one before. For a second consecutive week the LA Giltinis and Utah Warriors will take the field opposite each other. This time however it’s in the Western Conference Final and the backdrop will be the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. …

All eyes will be on the Estadio Charrúa on Sunday. Uruguay have home advantage against Brazil in the final fixture of South American Rugby World Cup 2023 qualifiers. Two of Uruguay, Brazil and Chile will advance to face North American opposition. One of the three will be eliminated. A Uruguayan …

The process to determine a new Major League Rugby champion starts on Saturday evening in Marietta where Rugby ATL hosts Rugby United New York in the Eastern Conference Final. ATL are the top seeds, the second overall finishers in the league, and the Ratlers have more than just a spot …

There is an ongoing player exodus from Argentina. Players from the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) have been recruited to continue their careers abroad. Player movement has seen Jaguares XV players in addition to Argentine players who played for other SLAR teams, departing for Europe. The exodus follows that …

Mauro Rebussone will play in the Italian Top 10. The Argentine second-rower joins Colorno from the Olímpia Lions. The move sees him playing for a second foreign professional team in 2021. He played for Paraguay’s team in the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) where he held down a starting …

The Seattle Seawolves have secured two of their standouts from the 2021 season on long-term deals. Hooker James Malcolm and outside back Lauina Futi have each committed through the end of the 2024 Major League Rugby season. They follow captain Riekert Hattingh in signing new contracts. Malcolm, 26, was originally …

The Exeter Chiefs have agreed new contracts with four USA Eagles for the 2021-22 Premier 15s campaign. Kate Zackary, Gabby Cantorna, Jennine Duncan, and Rachel Johnson will all return for a second season with the club. Joanna Kitlinski also played for the Chiefs this past year. Loose forward Zackary made …

The player exodus continues. The latest Argentine player to move to Italy is scrum-half Gregorio Del Prete. He has signed for Colorno to play in the Italian Top 10, Italy’s domestic championship. His move to Italy marks the second Argentine scrum-half recruited from South America by a Top 10 side …

Juan Cruz Mallía will remain at Toulouse. The Argentine back has agreed to terms to extend his contract with the French Top 14 and European Champions Cup champions. Mallía arrived at Toulouse earlier this year and went on start for the team in two finals, both of which were wins. …

Psalm Wooching will not be heading for Rumilly after all. The ink was barely dry on his contract with the French Fédérale 1 club and he has already found a new home. The US Eagles flanker immediately jumps two divisions to the fully professional Pro D2 to sign for Rouen …

Nathan Hirayama has been given a rare honor for Friday’s opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics. The 33-year-old Men’s Sevens co-captain has been selected as one of Canada’s two flag-bearers, the other basketball player Miranda Ayim. It’s not yet clear if they will share one flag or carry one each. …

Matías Moroni warned his 50th cap for Argentina on Saturday. He celebrated reaching the mark of 50 test matches by playing in a winning team and scoring a try. Los Pumas were 33-11 winners over Wales in Cardiff. The result gave Argentina a series victory against the 2021 Six Nations …

Ciaran Hearn has retired from rugby. The longtime servant of Canada hangs up his boots at the age of 35. His final match came this past weekend in a MLR victory; Old Glory DC were 29-25 winners over Austin Gilgronis. Hearn had a lengthily playing career both as a professional …

Javier Díaz is departing Argentina to continue his career in Italy. The 25-year-old has signed for Valorugby Emilia to play in the Italian Top 10. He makes the move to Europe after previously having played Super Rugby and Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR). Díaz played Super Rugby under Mario …

Agustín Ormaechea earned his 50th test cap on Sunday. He did so playing for Uruguay against Chile in a RWC 2023 qualifier. The hard-fought victory saw Ormaechea joining an elite group of players to have won 50 or more caps for Los Teros. He follows in the foot-steps of his …

Facundo Ferrario will continue his playing career in Italy. The Argentine fullback has signed for Rovigo for the 2021-2022 season. He moves to Europe following his involvement with Los Cafeteros Pro in the 2021 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR). Ferrario was a regular for the Colombian team during the …

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 Uruguay set to advance in RWC qualifiers Uruguay were taken down to the wire by Chile in Sunday’s Rugby …

New England held on to earn a hard-fought 22-19 win over Rugby ATL on Sunday evening. The Free Jacks celebrated the close of the 2021 Major League Rugby regular season with a glimpse towards 2022 as they played their first match at their new home of Veterans Memorial Stadium. An …

Brazil, Chile and Uruguay are involved in ongoing matches in Montevideo. They are a triangular series wherein two teams will advance to face North American opposition. What then is the picture for the RWC 2023 qualifiers in South America? The qualifiers began with Brazil defeating Paraguay. This results saw Os …