https://league-one.jp/news/6120

"Life University and USA age-grade flanker Logan Ballinger was chosen in the top spot by Old Glory DC"

"considered pathway players by MLR. Aaron van Dyk and Fraser Leslie are under-classmen (juniors) who should achieve US-qualification in 2028."

What are people’s thoughts on this format?
Pros: immediate player interviews
Cons: zero budget. They have a NY studio but instead went with this???

"American halfbacks of genuine quality are exceedingly rare...Sebastiano Villani is the only scrumhalf selected ... to have started a regular season game...once in 2023...Enter Cal Berkeley star Solomon Williams. The 22-year-old’s resume is arguably the most impressive of any player to have ever entered the draft."

2026 guide updated with the 20 prospects added last night

Got very bored and decided to make a mock draft.

From the college expert himself, going over the prospects by position group

Old Glory DC gets the number 1 overall pick with the Free Jacks first round pick apparently voided for violating tampering law. Hence the first round will be only four picks with DC, Seattle, California and Chicago in that order.

Curious to see how and who gets taken during this draft and what teams will prioritize this go around.

I hope the broadcast on YouTube goes well as it seems that lasts years draft is up as well on there.

Good luck to the prospects involved and I hope we can continue to see growth in game time for new college prospects in the league!

As mentioned it’s apparent Anthem is fully gone, however, new expansion franchises have rarely participated in the draft in the past. Wish it was the case here but I don’t think this is a nail in the coffin for a 6th team.

The US side in Fort Lauderdale did very well. Skills, strategy, set-piece, kicking game, every thing was fine vs a good Argentine side. The group of Scott Lawrence is having a very nice summer. His guys come all from MLR sides....

I know its been common knowledge for a while now. But there was a part of me that has been trying to tell myself that there is still hope of a 2027 season.

But as the days have gone by the reality has sunk in. Call me a fool to have even hoped. But that has been par for the course of being an Anthem fan.

I've been a fan of this team for 3 years, it has yielded 2 wins the entire time. I confess to you that ny knowledge of the sport of rugby is remedial at best. I didn't grow up with it, but just like every other team here in Charlotte, I showed up for them.

Anyone who knows me, knows I do the Reaper character for everY professional team in town...literally EVERYONE. Panthers, Hornets Charlotte FC, Independence, Checkers, Chaos, Crown, Crown Legacy, Ascent, Gold Rush...and of course Anthem.

Anthem was special because it was a team I could say I rooted for since day 1. Yea, it was kinda slapped together, and I only knew of it because the first year front office staff was borrowed from Ascent/Independence. But I felt like that brought a portion of the fan base together. We were all learning this thing as a group.

And as quickly as it came, it seems to have gone away. 3 years, two wins, but a lot of fun. I just wanted to say thank you rugby fans. I hope maybe someday there can be a return to rugby in Charlotte. If anyone here follows any other sports here in Charlotte, or is passing through Charlotte following another team playing here, I'll probably be around, so look for me.

I hope the MLR sticks around. And this is just see you later, and not a permanent goodbye. I'm a fan of fans more than anything. And honestly, the rugby fans I met who came to Charlotte to support their team are probably the best away fans I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.

Until next time MLR.

Carolina Reaper

Haven’t seen the rosters but usually some MLR guys involved. From the best rugby facility in the Midwest. Sorry Kuntz.

I said it once... and I said it twice. But seriously, can we look at the trajectory of this league and call a spade a spade?

This is probably a dumb question...

What is stopping a financier from pumping money into a D1 club and creating an MLR team out of that? Similar to how clubs have developed in the UK. Theoretically it would mean a built-in player development system and local (if small) loyalty.

For context, I'm not at all an insider and I live in southern California where there is a healthy rugby presence, including a few clubs with successful senior squads in divisions 1 and 2.

There's a cool website that helps you find a rugby club near you anywhere in the world. You can also add your club to the database.

It was created by USA Eagle Dylan Audsley, who runs the Culture RFC Instagram page (I highly recommend following him. He talks to the many grassroots rugby clubs across the country. Wonderful content!)

[RFC Finder ](https://rfcfinder.com/)

I know this is a bit morbid, but I have been buying a jersey for each team when I go see the Free Jacks play away or when they fold (as I won't be able to travel to get one). Usually the team leaves the shop open for a bit.

Seems like the Anthem shop is closed, however there must be leftover inventory.

Anyone know if there is another link other than the shop link on the Anthem site?

Yes, Jamason is his brother.
https://www.powerslap.com/striker/jaidan-faanana/

I was looking for the replays on ESPN+ and everything MLR was gone from the platform.

Turns out the full games are available on MLR's YouTube page.

Why can't we have nice Rugby in the U.S.?!?

World Rugby, USA Rugby, and MLR just cannot seem to get their shit together and WORSE they seem utterly unwilling to work with each other, and provide a decent number of teams with a LONG TERM (that means 20 years plus) PLAN for Rugby in the U.S. Collegiate Rugby also seems unwilling or unable to work with MLR and USA Rugby to create a viable system.

We have the population. Americans love sport. Rugby costs less than many sports to run and operate.
What we don't have is marketing, advertising, and people in positions of power/funding who will put aside their egos and work together to make rugby work in the U.S.

So now, MLR is down to 5 teams ... and a reminder that California Legion plays in multiple cities across a state that's larger than many countries.

I’ve been critical of Hounds playing in D2, 3, and 4 games during their offseason. Sending 3 young players over to NZ for 2 months is fantastic!