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.

Stephan Bernal-Wendt

Crossover Athlete Stephan Bernal-Wendt played Major league Rugby between 2023-2025. He represented the Utah Warriors (2023) and Anthem RC (2024-2025).

Hawaiian native Stephan Bernal-Wendt played gridiron football through high school, as well as four years of rugby through high school. He stuck with his football career into university, playing as an Offensive Linesman with the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, from 2017-2022.

Following university, Bernal-Wendt turned his attention to rugby full time, and toured with the USA Hawks to South America before signing with the Utah Warriors on May 12th, 2023 for the back end of the 2023 MLR season, although he did not see game time. Following the inception of Anthem RC just prior to the 2024 season, Bernal-Wendt joined the MLR, USA Rugby and World Rugby partnership team for the 2024 MLR season where he earned his debut, starting two of his 12 appearances in Anthem’s inaugural season, that saw them deliver improving performances despite their 0-16 record. Listed at 300lbs, the prop is one of the heaviest players in MLR history.

Stephan Bernal-Wendt was included in the Anthem RC squad for 2025 when they revealed their full roster on January 21st, 2025.

2023 – RD 13: Toronto Arrows v Rugby ATL

The Toronto Arrows host Rugby ATL in an Eastern Conference clash at York Lions Stadium during Round 13 of the 2023 season.

The first draw of the 2023 Major League Rugby season brings an end to the longest losing streak in Toronto Arrows history, having lost 7 games in a row prior to this. This draw badly dents ATL’s playoff push in a closely fought eastern conference race, and the team from Georgia is likely disappointed that they couldn’t secure the 5 point win.

At the time, while still 6th in the Eastern Conference, this draw lifted the Arrows above Chicago and Dallas in the battle at the bottom of the overall league standings.

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Liam Bowman

Ontario native Liam Bowman joined Major League Rugby between 2023 & 2024 representing his local MLR team, the Toronto Arrows.

Bowman’s signing by the Arrows was announced on May 9th, 2023, towards the end of the 2023 Regular season. The former Canada u20 Captain returned to Toronto having spend 2 years with Academy of Pro D2 side US Montauban in France. The 21yo (at time of signing) had also represented the Pacific Pride, Canada’s high-performance development side and Captained the Canada u18 side.

In his debut MLR season, Bowman scored 2 tries in 5 caps (3 starts), racking up 231m gained. A strong showing from the young back resulted in an extension with the Toronto Arrows, which was announced on 4th October, 2023. With the Arrows withdrawing from MLR in November 2023, Bowman has not returned to MLR.

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2023 – RD 12: Dallas Jackals v Old Glory DC

This game was deemed complete at half-time, and the second half was cancelled due to lightning in the area. This is the 2nd game of the 2023 season that only completed 40 minutes due to weather.

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John Dupree

California native John DuPree played in Major League Rugby between 2023-2024. He represented the Utah Warriors for his entire MLR career.

A native of Lincoln, CA, John DuPree attended the Central Washington University, representing the CWU Men’s Rugby side while there. Following his graduation, DuPree declared for the 2022 MLR Collegiate Draft and was selected in the 3rd Rd (33rd overall) by the Utah Warriors, who signed him ahead of the 2023 MLR season.

He earned 2 MLR appearances off the bench for the Warriors in his rookie season, completing 6 tackles and gaining 14m. On 1st November 2023, the Utah Warriors announced the re-signing of John DuPree for the 2024 season where his numbers jumped hugely. He earned his first MLR start, starting 3 of his 5 games for the Warriors and scored his 1st career MLR try with 35m gained and 22 tackles completed.

Following the 2024 MLR season, DuPree represented the Serengeti Elephants in the 2024 Rugby Tens Championship and in 2025, DuPree had returned to Washington State and was playing with the Washington Athletics Club 7s team.

Achievements:

 

Niko Jones

New Zealand back row Niko Jones played in Major League Rugby between 2023-2024. He represented Old Glory DC for his entire MLR career.

The son of former All Blacks flanker Sir Michael Jones, Niko played for the first XV during high school and signed with the New Zealand Sevens team after his graduation in 2018, although injury prevented his playing. Jones has played with Auckland in NZ’s National Provincial Championship (NPC) since 2020 and earned his Super Rugby debut for the Moana Pasifika in 2022.

Jones joined Old Glory DC in April 2023, mid-way through that year’s MLR season, He earned 6 appearances (all starts) for the Flags during the regular season and started both of DC’s games in the 2023 Championship Series as they made it to the Eastern Conference Final before falling 25-7 to the eventual champions, the New England Free Jacks. Jones racked up over 450m gained with ball in hand and completed 78 tackles in just 8 games. Jones returned to the NPC with Auckland following the 2023 MLR season, but on 23rd January 2024, Old Glory DC announced the return of Niko Jones for their 2024 campaign, his second in Major League Rugby.

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