League: Major League Rugby
Founded in 2017 with it’s inaugural season played in 2018, Major League Rugby (MLR) is the highest level of professional rugby in North America.
Malacchi Esdale
Delaware native Malacchi Esdale played in Major League Rugby between 2018-2020, and again from 2025-2026. He represented the Houston SaberCats (2018-2020), the Seattle Seawolves (2025), and Anthem RC (2026).
Esdale began playing rugby in high school at age 17 after moving to Florida, but pursued a football scholarship until transferring to the University of Central Florida and finding his way back to rugby, playing with UCF’s club side and the Orlando Griffins. Esdale signed with the Houston SaberCats ahead of MLR’s inaugural season in 2018, appearing in all 8 games (7 starts) that season. Esdale represented the SaberCats for 3 seasons, earning scoring 5 tries in 28 total MLR games between 2018-20, including 4 tries in 15 games (all starts) in 2019, when he also gained over 900m with ball in hand.
Following the cancellation of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Esdale joined the USA Sevens setup in Chula Vista and made the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Squad (played in 2021 due to COVID-19) as a travelling reserve before earning his debut during the Canadian leg of the 2021 World Rugby Sevens Series circuit. He was a part of the USA Squad for the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens, and eventually became a full Olympian when he was selected for the USA Squad for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
On 7th September 2024, the Seattle Seawolves announced the signing of Malacchi Esdale for the 2025 season, marking his return to MLR after 4 seasons. In his return, Esdale scored a career high 6 tries for the Seawolves, appearing in 15 games and amassing over 400m gained despite only starting 3 games in Seattle. Following a season in the PNW, on 4th November 2025 Anthem RC announced the signing of Malacchi Esdale for a 5th MLR season, where he is likely to earn his 50th MLR appearance.
achievements
- MLR Team of the Week: 2026 – Rd 5
Charlie Hewitt
US-eligible English lock Charlie Hewitt played in Major League Rugby between 2018-2025. He represented the Houston SaberCats (2018-2019), the Rugby New York Ironworkers (2020-2023), and the San Diego Legion (2024-2025).
Hewitt played with the Exeter Chiefs academy and represented the England U18 side, before signing with London Scottish in the English Championship. He moved to the Worcester Warriors in the English Premiership between 2015-2017, earning a Premiership debut in 2016 and appearing in the Challenge Cup in 2017.
Hewitt made the move stateside ahead of MLR’s inaugural season in 2018, signing with the Houston SaberCats and appearing in all 8 games during the regular season, starting 7 and scoring his first MLR try while also serving as the SaberCats Academy coach. Unfortunately for Hewitt, he suffered an injury prior to the 2019 season that ruled him out for the entire MLR season. Hewitt moved from Houston to play with Rugby United New York during the 2020 season, starting 2 games before the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the season after only 5 rounds. Hewitt played with New York for 3 more seasons after the league returned in 2021, and was a stalwart in the New York lineup, earning 47 caps (22 starts) for the Ironworkers between 2021-2023, and earned a career-high of 11 starts in 2022, when Rugby New York lifted the MLR shield following a 30-15 victory over the Seattle Seawolves after a controversial playoffs. Hewitt is US-eligible through residency, and has represented the USA Selects.
On April 30th 2023, Hewitt became the 46th player in MLR history to reach 50 caps earned in the competition. In early December 2023, MLR and the Rugby New York Ironworkers announced that the team would not compete in the 2024 season, a week after the Toronto Arrows announced the same. In the subsequent Dispersal Draft, Hewitt was selected 10th overall by the San Diego Legion. The Legion confirmed this signing on 2nd January, 2024 ahead of the 2024 season. He earned 11 appearances for the Legion (3 starts) scoring 1 try and passing 1000 career meters gained in MLR. On 4th November 2024, the San Diego Legion announced the return of Charlie Hewitt for their 2025 Campaign.
achievements:
- MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 4
- MLR Champion: 2022 (Rugby New York)
- MLR Team of the Week: 2018 – Rd 1
Connor Robinson
Massachusetts native Connor Robinson played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2026. He represented the Dallas Jackals (2022-2023), Anthem RC (2024-2025) and Old Glory DC (2026).
Robinson played at Number 8 during high school between 2014-2017, and began playing with Mystic River RFC in 2015 where he has played since. He switched to the front row while attending Boston College between 2017-2021, primarily at hooker. Robinson trained with the Free Jacks and played for their academy side, the Independents, in 2022 before joining the injury-ravaged Dallas Jackals, earning his MLR debut from the bench that season. He returned for the Jackals in 2023, earning 10 appearances off the bench and scoring 1 try.
For 2024, a partnership between World Rugby, USA Rugby, and MLR hurriedly assembled Anthem RC to give regular playing time to younger US players in MLR. Robinson joined Anthem for the 2024 season and earned his first 9 MLR starts in 13 games, scoring an additional 2 tries and completing over 130 tackles as the team put together admirable performances despite a 0-16 record. For his contributions, Robinson was named as Anthem RC‘s George Armistead Clubman of the Year for 2024. Following a career year in 2024, Anthem RC included Connor Robinson when they revealed their full roster for 2025 on January 21st, 2025. Robinson enjoyed a great season with the Rising Stars in 2025, with a career high 11 starts in 12 appearances and another 4 tries scored (another career high) on 145m gained. He also recorded over 100 tackles made for the 2nd straight season. he did not return for Anthem RC in 2026 however, instead signing with Old Glory DC which the team announced on 26th January, 2026.
achievements
- Anthem RC George Armistead Clubman of the Year: 2024