May 31, 2025 - NA Rugby Database

The NOLA Gold travel to Illinois to face the Chicago Hounds for an Eastern Conference clash at SeatGeek Stadium! The Hounds are coming off of a road victory over Anthem RC where they clinched a playoff spot for the 2nd season in a row, and are not fighting for home field advantage. The Gold’s comeback attempt fell just short against the Utah Warriors last week, and need a victory here to keep their slim playoff chances alive. A Miami Sharks win would eliminate NOLA, but they need a victory for any chance of making it.

These teams have met 5 times in the past and split the all-time regular season series 2-2, but the Hounds hold the lead thanks to their big post-season victory last year. Chicago extended their all-time season series lead with a 38-17 bonus point victory over the Gold in this one. Although the scoreline looks comfortable, the Gold took a 7-0 lead in the first 10 minutes through a JP du Plessis try and held this until the half hour mark, when Ollie Devoto struck for the Hounds to even things up. Oti Pifeleti doubled up the Hounds score just before half time, and Chicago never looked back. With 8 points in this game, Chris Hilsenbeck’s 2025 total now sits at 84pts. This is a new Chicago Hounds single season scoring record!

The Hounds take the lead in the Eastern Conference and will be hoping that the Free Jacks slip up against Seattle tomorrow. The NOLA Gold, already eliminated, now have one last chance to play for pride this season.

Rugby FC LA travel to the nation’s capital to face Old Glory DC in a cross-conference clash at the Maryland Soccerplex! The California club have an opportunity to clinch their first ever playoff berth with a bonus point victory here, and are entering this game on a 3-game win streak and undefeated in 4. Old Glory DC have already locked up a playoff spot in the East, but are in a 3-way battle with Chicago and New England for 1st place and home advantage. The Flags are entering this game on a 4-game win streak of their own and are fresh off of a huge road victory over their rivals, the New England Free Jacks.

These teams have met twice in the past, with LA taking 1 game and the other ended in a draw. The broadcast cut out after roughly 30 minutes following a power outage in the area around the stadium, so fans watching from home had to rely on text updates from the league and teams. These updates informed us that the game was a back-and-forth affair, with Rugby FC LA eventually securing a 43-32 victory to clinch their place in the 2025 post-season. Old Glory DC picked up a try BP, but with a Chicago Hounds victory, have lost ground in the hunt for 1st in the West. The Flags will have to hope that the Free Jacks slip up tomorrow.

**Due to the power outage, exact substitution information for this game is unknown.**