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.

Juan Dee Oliver

South African scrum-half Juan Dee Oliver played in Major League Rugby between 2024-2025. He represented the Dallas Jackals (2024) and the Houston SaberCats (2025).

Oliver attended Grey College in Bloemfontein, playing cricket and rugby. He represented the college at the famous Craven Week before joining the Cheetahs system where he represented the U20 and U21 side. On 4th January 2024, the Dallas Jackals announced the signing of then-21yo Juan Dee Oliver ahead of the 2024 MLR season. Oliver would score 5 tries in 13 games (all starts) for the Jackals in his debut MLR season, gaining over 250m in possession as a scrum-half, and scoring 55pts total after taking over kicking duties late in the season. The Jackals qualified for the post-season for the first time that season, and Oliver was a standout as they shocked the Houston SaberCats before falling to the Seattle Seawolves in the Western Conference Final. For his performances throughout the 2024 season, Oliver was named to the All-MLR Second XV.

Following the news in August 2024 that the Dallas Jackals were withdrawing from MLR, Oliver declared for the dispersal draft and was selected 30th by the Houston SaberCats. He was the final played selected in the dispersal draft. On November 18th, 2024, the SaberCats confirmed the signing of Juan-Dee Oliver for the 2025 MLR season. Primarily playing on the wing for the SaberCats, Oliver started 6 of his 10 appearances in 2025, scoring 4 tries to help Houston finish 2nd in the Western Conference. Oliver played no part in the postseason as the SaberCats advanced to the Championship Game, where they fell to the New England Free Jacks.

On 2nd July, 2025, the agency representing Juan Dee Oliver, Khaos Sport, announced that the half-Italian back had signed with Rovigo, the Reigning Champions of the Italian domestic league, the Serie A Élite.

achievements

  • 2025 MLR Runner-Up – Houston SaberCats
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 14
  • 2024 All-MLR Second XV
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 15

Seth Smith

Texas native Seth Smith played in Major League Rugby between 2024-2026. He represented the Houston SaberCats (2024-2025) and Anthem RC (2026).

Smith played football, wrestled, and played rugby through high school, the latter of which he was introduced to by his father. He was a USA Rugby All-American and was selected for the USA U20s. He signed a professional contract with the Houston SaberCats on 6th June 2023 when he was 17, becoming the youngest player in history to sign a Major League Rugby contract. He played with the SaberCats U18 side as well as the SaberCats 2 (Rugby HTX at the time) that year, and was announced as a member of the SaberCats MLR roster on 3rd January 2024 as the first graduate of their academy system.

Smith attended a USA Rugby U20 High Performance Camp over the Christmas period in 2023 before jumping in to the 2024 season with the SaberCats, where he scored 2 tries in 6 appearances (1 start) before returning to the USA U20s for the annual World Rugby U20s Trophy North American qualifier series against Canada. Smith earned a MLR Team of the Week selection for his performance in Round 9. On December 13th, 2024, the Houston SaberCats confirmed the return of Seth Smith for his sophomore season in MLR in 2025 where he set career highs across the board, starting 7 of his 13 appearances for the SaberCats and scoring 5 tries, earning another two MLR Team of the Week selections. He recorded 137m gained and 89 tackles, more than doubling his career totals in both.

Following the surprise news in September 2025 that the Houston SaberCats were withdrawing from Major League Rugby, Seth Smith became a free agent and on 22nd November, Anthem RC announced the addition of Smith for the 2026 season, a few days after his agency broke the news.

achievements

  • 2025 Western Conference Champion: Houston SaberCats
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 14
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 6
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 10
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 9

Sam Buckley

English prop Sam Buckley played in Major League Rugby between 2023-2024. He played with the Utah Warriors (2023), the NOLA Gold (2024), and Rugby FC LA on Loan (2024).

Northampton native Buckley played with the Northampton Saints Academy before moving stateside to attend Lindenwood University between 2018-2022, playing rugby throughout in a very well-regarded system. He competed in the 2022 Collegiate Rugby Shield for the Canyons at Zion’s Bank Stadium, the home of the Utah Warriors. The Warriors must have liked what they saw, as they selected him in the 3rd Round (30th Overall) of the 2022 MLR Collegiate Draft.

Buckley spent the 2023 season with the Warriors but did not appear in an MLR game. Following the 2023 season, the Utah Warriors traded Buckley to the NOLA Gold in exchange for 2024 Salary Cap Considerations (unknown). He played with the NOLA Gold Academy during the fall American Rugby Premiership season. On 3rd January 2024, the Gold confirmed the signing of Sam Buckley for the 2024 MLR season, which he spent with the MLR team but did not feature at MLR level. Mid way through the MLR season n April 2024, the NOLA Gold traded Sam Buckley to Rugby FC LA on a 4 week loan in exchange for 2024 Salary Cap Considerations (unknown), where he finally earned his MLR debut and 4 appearances off the bench for LA. The NOLA Gold’s loan of Buckley to LA included an option for RFCLA to keep him, but NARDB does not know if this option was exercised and Buckley did not feature for either team in 2025. Following the Gold’s withdrawal from MLR in August 2025, and RFCLA’s merger with the San Diego Legion to form the California Legion, Buckley’s future in MLR is unknown.

In mid-September 2025, Sam Buckley was included in the Chicago Hounds ‘Autumn Performance Squad’ for their fall season.

achievements

Reinaldo Piussi

Uruguayan prop Reinaldo Piussi Mendoza played in Major League Rugby during the 2024 season. He represented the Miami Sharks for his entire MLR career.

He represented Oyonnax in the French Pro D2 between 2018-2020, before returning to Uruguay and joining the Uruguayan High Performance system. He made his full test debut for Los Teros against Tonga in 2022, before playing with Peñarol in Super Rugby Americas in 2023, winning the competition. Following the SRA season he was selected to represent Uruguay at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, playing against the host nation as well as Namibia.

On 30th December 2023, the Miami Sharks announced the signing of Reinaldo Piussi for their inaugural MLR season in 2024. At 285lbs, Piussi is one of the heaviest players to ever play in MLR. He scored 1 try in his 8 MLR appearances (7 starts) for the Sharks during their admirable inaugural season, and on November 14th, 2024, the Miami Sharks announced the return of Reinaldo Piussi for the 2025 Campaign.

 

Maks van Dyk

South African prop Nicolaas ‘Maks’ van Dyk played in Major League Rugby during the 2024 season. He represented the Houston SaberCats for his entire MLR career.

A Johannesburg native, van Dyk attended the famous Paarl Boys’ High School until 2010, when he played with the Western Province U18s during Craven Week, and the following year played with the Sharks U19 side, and the U21s between 2012-2013. Van Dyk’s career continued in South Africa, playing for Griquas in the Currie Cup in 2014, before being loaned to Leinster short term, where he earned his Pro12 (now URC) debut. He also played in the Cheetahs system, for both the Currie Cup and Super Rugby sides between 2015-2016 before moving to France to play with Toulouse in the Top 14, whom he represented between 2016-2020. Following his time in France van Dyk moved to England to play in the Premiership, briefly with the Worcester Warriors, then the Exeter Chiefs during the 2020/21 season. He then returned to France to represent Section Paloise in the Top 14 once again, where he stayed until his move stateside.

On 28th December 2023, the Houston SaberCats announced the signing of Maks van Dyk for the 2024 MLR season. He scored 2 tries in 7 appearances (all starts) for the SaberCats that year as they finished the regular season as the best team in MLR with a 14-2 record. Van Dyk earned a Team of the Week selection for his performance in Round 7.

achievements

  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 8

Caolan Dooley

Irish fly-half Caolan Dooley played in Major League Rugby during the 2024 MLR season. He represented the Chicago Hounds for his entire MLR career.

Limerick native Dooley attended University College Dublin (UCD) between 2019-2023, and played with Terenure College RFC in D1A of the All-Ireland League between 2021-2023. He scored 30pts in the AIL final as Terenure College defeated Clontarf 50-24 to win the 2023 AIL D1A Championship. Dooley was named as the 2023 All-Ireland League Player of the Year for his efforts.

On 29th December 2023, the Chicago Hounds announced the signing of Caolan Dooley for the 2024 MLR season.

 

Conall Boomer

Irish back rower Conall Boomer played in Major League Rugby between 2024-2025. He represented the Chicago Hounds for his entire MLR career.

Boomer played in Australia for the Western Force U20 side in 2015, before attending Ulster University between 2016-2020. While there, he represented the Ireland U19s and Ireland U20s at the World Rugby U20s Championships in Manchester. He played his club rugby with Ballynahinch RFC for 3 years until 2019. Boomer spent 3 seasons with Terenure RFC in D1A of the All-Ireland League prior to his move stateside, finishing as AIL Champions in 2023 alongside fellow 2024 Hound, Caolan Dooley.

The Chicago Hounds announced the signing of Conall Boomer on 28th December 2023, ahead of the 2024 MLR season. In his debut MLR season, Boomer scored 2 tries in 11 games (8 starts) and racked up just shy of 400m gained as the Hounds qualified for the MLR playoffs for the first time in team history. The Chicago Hounds defeated the NOLA Gold on the road before falling to the eventual Champions, the New England Free Jacks in the Eastern Conference Final. Boomer started at number 8 for the Hounds in both playoff games in 2024. On January 9th, 2025, the Chicago Hounds confirmed the return of Conall Boomer for his 2nd season with the team in 2025.

achievements

  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 3

James Rivers

English born lock James Rivers played in Major League Rugby between 2024-2025. He represented Anthem RC (2024) and the San Diego Legion (2025).

Born in the south of England, Rivers played rugby and rowed through high school before moving to Hong Kong. He represented the Discovery Bay Pirates U18 & U19 sides, as well as the Hong Kong U20s in 2018 & 2019. Rivers moved to the US to attend the University of Arizona between 2019-2023, earning 2 MVP nods and captaining the side in his senior year. The San Diego Legion selected Rivers with their 1st Rd Pick (12th overall) in the 2023 MLR Collegiate Draft, and confirmed his signing on 26th December, 2023 ahead of the 2024 season.

The San Diego Legion loaned Rivers to the newly formed Anthem RC to help fill out their inaugural season roster. Rivers earned 13 appearances for Anthem (11 starts), completing over 130 tackles in his rookie season as Anthem put in admirable performances, but ended with a 0-16 record. On 4th November, 2024, the San Diego Legion announced the return of Rivers for the 2025 MLR season. In his first season representing the San Diego Legion, Rivers earned 3 further MLR appearances, starting once. In the 2025 season, the San Diego Legion missed out on the MLR postseason by a single point.

During the offseason, Major League Rugby, the San Diego Legion and Rugby FC LA announced the merger of both of the League’s California teams to create the California Legion. Following this merger, James Rivers became a free agent and on 5th December it was confirmed that he had returned to Hong Kong, signing with Hong Kong Scottish RFC for their 2025/26 season. With Hong Kong qualifying for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, it’s possible that Rivers is aiming to put himself into national team contention ahead of the tournament.

achievements

Ezekiel Lindenmuth

Samoan prop Ezekiel Lindenmuth played in Major League Rugby between 2024-2026. He represented the Houston SaberCats (2024-2025) and the Seattle Seawolves (2026).

Born in Samoa, Lindenmuth has represented both Samoa and New Zealand at U20 levels, and earned a full test debut for Samoa in the 2022 Pacific Nations Cup. At club level, He represented Auckland in NZ’s National Provincial Championship (NPC) between 2018-2019, as well as the Counties Manukau since 2020. He has represented the Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby since 2021.

On 24th December 2023, the Houston SaberCats announced the signing of Ezekiel Lindenmuth ahead of the 2024 season. He appeared in 14 games for the SaberCats (all starts) in his debut MLR season, completing over 100 tackles and gaining over 300m in possession as a front row. The ‘Cats finished the regular season as MLR’s top team with a record of 14-2, but were stunned by the Dallas Jackals in the Western Conference Semifinals. For his solid performances, Lindenmuth was named to the All-MLR Honorable Mention XV.

On February 19th, 2025, following Rd 1 of the 2025 season, the Houston SaberCats announced the return of Ezekiel Lindenmuth for the 2025 season. In his sophomore season, Lindenmuth started 13 of his 15 appearances for the Houston SaberCats including all 3 of their postseason games as the SaberCats earned their first postseason victories to claim the Western Conference title after defeating Rugby FC LA and the Utah Warriors. Lindenmuth also started the 2025 Championship as the SaberCats fell to the New England Free Jacks. He set a new career high with 128 tackles made, and was a 2025 All-MLR Honorable Mention.

Following the 2025 season, Ezekiel Lindenmuth was included in the USA Rugby squad for their July tests. He became eligible to represent the USA on 16th July 2025 (having represented Samoa in 2022), and was named in the starting lineup for the Eagles’ 19th July test against England as Eagle #594. Following the surprise withdrawal of the Houston SaberCats from Major League Rugby in September 2025, Lindenmuth headed to the PNW and on 12th December 2025, the Seattle Seawolves announced the addition of Ezekiel Lindenmuth for the 2026 MLR season.

achievements
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2026 – Rd 3
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2026 – Rd 2
  • 2025 All-MLR Honorable Mention
  • 2025 Western Conference Champion – Houston SaberCats
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 17
  • 2024 All-MLR Honorable Mention
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 13
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 2

Charlie Overton

Connecticut native Charlie Overton played in Major League Rugby between 2024-2025. He represented Old Glory DC for his entire MLR career.

Charlie Overton started playing rugby at Staples High School where he was named a High School All-American, touring Ontario with the Eagles Impact Rugby Academy (EIRA) while there. After High School, Overton attended Penn State University between 2018-2022, where he played with the Rugby New York Ironworkers Academy side in 2021 and was named a D1A Collegiate All-American in 2022. Following his graduation, he declared for the 2023 MLR Collegiate Draft and was selected in the 2nd round (14th overall) by the Miami Sharks.

On 20th December 2023, the Miami Sharks traded Charlie Overton to Old Glory DC in exchange for 2024 Salary Cap Considerations. DC confirmed the signing of Overton that same day, ahead of the 2024 MLR season. He earned his MLR debut for Old Glory DC off the bench that season, and on 12th December 2024, Old Glory DC confirmed the return of Charlie Overton for the 2025 season, which he spent with the Flags’ Academy side.

achievements

  • 2023 MLR Draftee: 2nd Round (14th Overall) – Miami Sharks