NA Rugby Database

Report

After sitting through a bye in Round 1, the Utah Warriors finally get their 2025 season underway on the road against the Chicago Hounds. The Hounds are fresh off an upset victory over the Houston SaberCats on the road, and now face another Western Conference opponent in the Warriors, who will be looking to return to winning ways after a disappointing 2024 where they missed the playoffs.

These sides have met three times prior to this game, with the Utah Warriors holding a 2-1 lead in this match up. The previous meeting between these two teams was in Round 2 of the 2024 season, when the Warriors came away as 29-15 winners at Zion’s Bank. Of note, This was the 100th game for Chicago Hounds hooker Dylan Fawsitt, who became the first player in Major League Rugby history to reach 100 appearances in the competition. Unfortunately for Fawsitt and the Hounds, the Utah Warriors caught them napping early in the game, with tries from Liam Coltman and Blake Makiri giving the Warriors a 0-14 lead within 7 minutes. Chicago would hit back with a Nate Augspurger try, but the Warriors would respond immediately with a Joe Mano score from a perfect crossfield kick from D’Angelo Leuila.

From the 15 minute mark, it seemed at though the Hounds had woken up. Tries from Mason Flesch and Dylan Fawsitt on his 100th MLR cap drew the game level for a 28-28 half time score, with both teams already locking up the try bonus point. Mitch Short would give the Warriors their first lead early in the 2nd half, before Charlie Abel was handed a controversial red card that halted Chicago’s momentum. The Warriors took advantage, scoring 2 tries while a man up, before sealing the deal with Joe Mano’s 2nd score right at the end. The Warriors get their 2025 season off to a perfect start, while the Hounds suffer a 2nd red card in as many games, and move to 1-1.