Nolan Tuamoheloa

A native of American Samoa, Nolan Tuamoheloa played in Major League Rugby between 2019-2021, and again in 2022 and 2025. He represented the Utah Warriors (2019-2020, 2025), Rugby ATL (2022), and the Seattle Seawolves (2026).

Hailing from Ili’ili on American Samoa, Nolan Tuamoheloa began playing 7s, and played his amateur rugby with Kau Toa, before attending Weber State University in Utah, playing rugby throughout. Following his graduation, Tuamoheloa signed with the Utah Warriors for the 2019 season, starting 2 of his 8 games and scoring his first MLR try. He returned to the Warriors for the 2020 season, but did not feature before the season was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, Tuamoheloa played with the Tsunami Barbarians at Rugbytown 7s, and represented the USA Selects for the Americas Pacific Challenge in Uruguay before returning to MLR the following year, signing with Rugby ATL. He earned 2 starts in 5 games for the RATLers in 2022 before joining the Experts for the PR7s season through the summer. From there, he caught the eyes of the USA National Sevens program, earning his Sevens Series debut in Hong Kong that year. Tuamoheloa has spent the last few years with the USA Sevens side as well as the Experts, but on 2nd May 2025, the Utah Warriors announced his return for the remainder of the 2025 season where he scored a 2nd career MLR try and another 2 starts in 3 games to help the Warriors finish as the league’s best team during the regular season, gaining a career high 250m in the process.

Although he was never announced, Nolan Tuamoheloa appeared in the Seattle Seawolves training squad ahead of their first game of the 2026 campaign against Old Glory DC.

achievements
  • MLR Player of the Week: 2025 – Rd 15
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 15

John-Roy Jenkinson

South African prop John-Roy Jenkinson played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2024. He represented Rugby ATL (2022-2023) and the New England Free Jacks (2024).

A former South Africa U20 player, prior to MLR John-Roy Jenkinson played with the Leopards in South Africa’s Currie Cup competition between 2011-2016, before moving to the Blue Bulls for 2016-2018. He moved to Japan to represented the Munakata Sanix Blues in 2018/19, before returning to South Africa and playing with the Griquas in 2020/21. Rugby ATL announced the signing of Jenkinson in December 2021, prior to the 2022 MLR season.

Jenkinson earned a total of 25 MLR caps (all starts) with Rugby ATL during his 2 seasons in Georgia, including a high of 14 appearances in 2023 where he also racked up nearly 100 successful tackles. Following the 2023 MLR season, and news that Rugby ATL was under a new ownership group that planned to relocate the franchise to LA, Jenkinson signed with the New England Free Jacks ahead of the 2024 MLR season. This signing was announced on November 3rd 2023, while Jenkinson was playing with Narbonne in the French Nationale during the MLR off-season.

Achievements:

  • MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Round 12
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Round 6
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Round 13

Joaquin de la Vega Mendia

Argentinian Fly-half/fullback Joaquin de la Vega Mendia played in Major League Rugby during the 2022 season. He represented Rugby ATL for his entire MLR career.

De la Vega Mendia played with the Argentina U20 side between 2018-2019, and has represented Hindú in Argentina’s domestic URBA Top 14 competition since 2017. Rugby ATL announced the signing of de la Vega Mendia in December 2021 ahead of their 2022 campaign, and earned 13 appearances (all starts) for the RATLers, scoring 2 tries and 68pts in total, finishing 8th in MLR scoring that season. He also racked up an impressive 879m gained with ball in hand.

De la Vega Mendia returned to South America following the 2022 MLR season and joined Pampas XV, an Argentinian club playing in Super Rugby Americas. He was a part of the Pampas team that finished as SRA runners-up in 2024.

achievements
  • 8th in MLR Scoring: 2022 (68pts)

Justin Basson

South African lock Justin Basson played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2025. The Cape Town native represented Rugby ATL (2022-23) until their relocation to LA, and the Houston SaberCats (2024-2025).

Basson’s signing was announced in December 2021 by Rugby ATL, joining from the Sharks in the URC competition and Western Province in South Africa’s Currie Cup competition. Basson had reamarkably similar seasons through his first two years in North America’s Top Flight, earning 15 caps (13 starts) in both seasons, and scoring 2 tries in each. He earned 30 MLR caps (26 starts) and scored 4 tries in his 2-season stint with Rugby ATL.

Following the news that Rugby ATL was under new ownership and planned to relocate to LA, on September 25th, 2023 Justin Basson was traded to the Houston SaberCats along with Johan Momsen in exchange for 2024 Salary Cap Considerations (unknown). Basson & Momsen, both South Africans, joining a healthy Saffa contingent in Houston. During the 2024 season, Basson proved that his first two seasons were not a coincidence, and recorded a season in line with his first 2 in MLR, proving to be a very consistent player. He scored another 2 tries in 12 games (all starts), recording over 150 tackles for the first time in his career, 2 more than his previous best. He helped the SaberCats to finish the regular season with an excellent 14-2 record, the best in MLR that season, but did not feature in the post-season.

On November 22nd, 2024, the Houston SaberCats announced the return of Justin Basson for the 2025 MLR season. Basson was one of 4 Ironmen for the 2025 season, appearing in the maximum of 19 games for the Houston SaberCats, starting 16 times to help them reach the postseason for the 4th straight season, and claim their first two playoff victories. The SaberCats defeated Rugby FC LA and the Utah Warriors to claim the Western Conference Title, before falling to the New England Free Jacks in the 2025 Championship game in Rhode Island. Basson recorded over 130 tackles completed for the 4th straight season, and was an All-MLR Honorable Mention for the 2025 season. Following the 2025 season and the news in September 2025 that the Houston SaberCats were withdrawing from Major League Rugby, Justin Basson was announced as the Head Coach of Houston Athletic Rugby Club (HARC) on October 6th, 2025. Basson will coach the HARC Men’s D1 side in the Red River Rugby Premiership.

Achievements:

Will Leonard

Irish center Will Leonard played in Major League Rugby between 2019-2026. He represented Rugby United New York (2019-2021), Rugby ATL (2022-2023), Rugby FC LA (2024-2025), and Anthem RC (2026).

Leonard began playing with Shannon RFC in County Limerick, Ireland at the age of 6, and played rugby with Crescent Comprehensive College between 2011-2014, helping the school to it’s first Munster School Senior Cup in 19 years, and winning back-to-back cups in 2013-2014. Leonard then attended the University of Limerick between 2014-2018, graduating with First Class Honours. He also remained playing with Shannon RFC and was named All Munster Provincial Player of the Year during the 2017/18 season.

In 2019, Leonard headed stateside to join Rugby United New York for their inaugural season, and representing them for 3 seasons between 2019-2021, earning 31 MLR appearances (29 starts), scoring 6 tries and gaining over 1,500m with New York alone. During the 2021 season, he also completed 198 tackles placing him 6th league-wide. For the 2022 season, Leonard moved to Rugby ATL and spent 2 seasons with the RATLers, earning a further 30 appearances (29 starts) and 5 tries including 4 in 2022 when he ran up 1,267m gained with ball in hand and finishing 8th in MLR. On March 18th 2023, Leonard became the 35th player in MLR history to reach 50 games played in the league.

Following the 2023 season, MLR and Rugby ATL announced that a new ownership group had taken over the franchise, and were relocating the team to Los Angeles for 2024. Leonard followed the team to LA, and played in their inaugural season, scoring 2 tries in 9 games (7 starts). Ahead of the 2024 season, World Rugby also granted Leonard US-eligibility on grounds of residency, along with fellow Irishman and former New York teammate Mark O’Keeffe. On December 6th, 2024, Rugby FC LA confirmed the return of Will Leonard for the 2025 season, where he scored a 14th career MLR try and started 2 of his 5 appearances, taking his career total to 75 games played in MLR. In those 75 games, Leonard has completed just shy of 800 tackles and gained an even 4,100m in possession. Following the merger of RFCLA and the San Diego Legion to form the California Legion, Will Leonard headed back east, signing with Anthem RC on 22nd December, 2025.

achievements
  • 35th player in MLR history to reach 50 caps
  • 8th in MLR Meters Gained: 2022 (1,267m)
  • 6th in MLR Tackling: 2021 (198)