Lucas Rumball

Canadian Flanker Lucas Rumball played in Major League Rugby between 2019-2026. He represented the Toronto Arrows as Arrow #1 between 2019-2023, and the Chicago Hounds (2024-2026)

Lucas Rumball is a test-capped Canadian, with his international debut coming against Uruguay in 2016. He earned his 50th cap for Canada in November 2023 against Spain.

The Scarborough, Ontario native played club rugby with Balmy Beach RFC in Toronto, and has represented the Toronto Arrows in every MLR season in which they competed, earning 54 MLR caps (50 starts) and scoring 5 tries. Rumball was named Co-Captain of the Arrows for their 2021 campaign alongside fellow Canadian, Ben LeSage. He was named outright captain of the Arrows for their 2023 MLR campaign. He has developed a reputation as a fearsome tackler, and can be relied on for at least one breakdown steal a game. He finished the 2021 season as MLR’s highest tackler with a total of 228, and has a career MLR total of 1078 through 2025.

A Toronto and Canada stalwart, on 7th November 2023 the Arrows announced the return of Lucas Rumball for the 2024 MLR season. Rumball was one of only three Arrows players to reach 50 caps in MLR, along with Mike Sheppard and Paul Ciulini. In late November 2023, the Toronto Arrows and MLR announced that they would not compete in the 2024 season due to financial difficulties. Following this news, Rumball signed with the Chicago Hounds as a free agent for the 2024 season, which the Hounds announced on 20th December 2023.

In his first season away from the Arrows, Rumball earned 10 caps (5 starts) for the Hounds, completing another 91 tackles take his MLR total to 880, 2nd all-time as of the conclusion of 2024. The Chicago Hounds qualified for the playoffs in the 2024 season, and Rumball came off the bench in both their playoff games as the Hounds fell to the eventual champions, the New England Free Jacks in the Eastern Conference Final. On October 21st 2024, the Chicago Hounds announced the return of Lucas Rumball for his 7th MLR season in 2025, Captaining the side. On May 19th, 2025, Rumball completed 15 tackles for the Chicago Hounds to take his career total to 1,009 tackles completed, becoming the first play in MLR history to pass 1,000 tackles completed in the competition. Rumball ended up scoring 2 tries in 16 games (15 starts) as the Hounds took the Free Jacks beyond the 80 before losing a heartbreaking 21-20 Eastern Conference Final. For his efforts, Lucas Rumball was named the Chicago Hounds’ Forward of the Year for 2025 and was also named to the All-MLR Second XV team for 2025, his 2nd All-MLR selection.

On November 6th, 2025, the Chicago Hounds announced the return of their 2025 Captain Lucas Rumball for the 2026 MLR season.

Achievements

  • MLR Team of the Week: 2026 – Rd 4
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2026 – Rd 3
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2026 – Rd 2
  • 2025 All-MLR Second XV Selection
  • 2025 Chicago Hounds Forward of the Year
  • First MLR Player to pass 1,000 tackles completed – 19th May 2025
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 8
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 3
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Rd 1
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Rd 16
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Rd 3
  • 2021 All-MLR First XV Selection
  • 1st in MLR Tackling: 2021 (228)
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2021 – Rd 6
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2021 – Rd 5
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2021 – Rd 1
  • 2nd in MLR Tackling: 2020 (73)
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2019 – Rd 11
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2019 – Rd 10

NARDB Player #2

Dennon Robinson-Bartlett

New Zealander Dennon Robinson-Bartlett played in Major League Rugby during the 2022 season. He represented the Toronto Arrows for his entire MLR career.

Robinson-Bartlett joined the Toronto Arrows for the 2022 MLR season from Hawke’s Bay Magpies in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship (NPC), a favourite competition for MLR teams to recruit from. He joins the Arrows along with Magpies’ Scrum Coach, Francisco Deformes.

He has represented the New Zealand Maori u20’s.

NARDB Player #1

Hamish Bain

Scottish lock Hamish Bain played in Major League Rugby during the 2025 season. He represented the Chicago Hounds for his entire MLR career.

Born in Edinburgh, Bain joined the Scotland Academy system when he was 20 in 2015, and made his way through the ranks before being assigned to Edinburgh in the Pro 14 (now the URC) in 2017. Although he didn’t feature for Edinburgh, Bain was selected for the Scotland U20 team for the World Rugby U20 Championships, where Scotland finished 5th. Following his time with the U20s, Bain signed with Stade Nicois in the French D2, representing them between 2018-2020 before returning to the URC with Glasgow, earning his debut against the Ospreys during the 2020/21 season. Following a season in Glasgow, Bain headed south to play with the Jersey Reds (led by former Hounds head coach Rob Webber, playing alongside fellow Hound James Scott) in the English Championship. That year, the Reds recorded an almost-undefeated season, with a 20-1-1 record and winning the Championship.

For the 2023/24 season, Bain returned to France with Vannes in the Pro D2, where they earned promotion to the French top flight, the Top 14. On November 3rd, 2024, the Chicago Hounds announced the signing of Hamish Bain for the 2025 MLR season.

Mitch Short

Australian scrum-half Mitch Short played in Major League Rugby during the 2025 season. He represented the Chicago Hounds for his entire MLR career.

Born and raised in Sydney, Short attended Scots College, earning a selection to the Australian Schools team in 2013 before joining the famous Randwick Galloping Green the follow season. Between 2015-2017 he represented both Randwick in the Shute Shield, and the NSW Eagles in the National Rugby Championship (NRC). Shorts play was recognised by the Western Force, who signed him for the 2017 Super Rugby season where he played in 6 Super Rugby games while still playing for both Randwick and the Eagles. The following season, Short signed with the NSW Waratahs, representing them until 2020 and playing alongside future Hounds teammate Maclean Jones. In 2021, Short headed to France and signed with Racing 92, representing them in the 2021/22 Top 14 season. Following a season with Racing, Short signed with Beziers in the Pro D2, earning over 30 caps between 2022-2024.

On November 26th, 2024, the Chicago Hounds announced the signing of Mitch Short for the 2025 season.

Achievements
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 3

NARDB Player #1,335

Jason Damm

Born in Georgia but raised in South Carolina, Jason Damm played in Major League Rugby between 2019-2025. He represented the Glendale Raptors (2019), Rugby ATL (2020-2023), Rugby FC LA (2024-2025), and the California Legion (2026).

Damm began playing rugby in South Carolina with the Carolina Dragons, while also playing football through high school. He attended Clemson University between 2013-2017, helping their rugby team to back-to-back Atlantic Coast Rugby League Championships and advanced to the 2017 Varsity Cup Quarterfinals where they faced Cal. In 2014 he was named as ACRL Freshman of the year, and was an Honourable Mention All-American Forward. Post graduation, Damm played with Vail Rugby in the Rocky Mountain Summer League before joining the Glendale Raptors for their fall season in 2018.

Damm is a test capped USA Eagle, earning his debut against Chile in 2022 as Eagle #550. He’s become a regular in the Eagles lineup since his debut, featuring heavily in the 2024 Pacific Nations Cup, as well as the USA’s unbeaten November tour that year.

Damm’s performances for the Raptors earned him a contract for their MLR side ahead of the 2019 season, where he earned 3 appearances and his first MLR start. Following his debut MLR season he moved from the Raptors to expansion side Rugby ATL, playing out of Marietta, Georgia where Damm was born. Jason Damm played with Rugby ATL for 4 MLR seasons, scoring 8 tries in 30 games (21 starts) for the RATLers, as they finished as runners-up in the 2021 season to a dominant LA Giltinis side. Following the 2023 season, MLR announced that a new ownership group had purchased the Rugby ATL franchise and were relocating to to Los Angeles, who had been without a team since the demise of the Giltinis in 2022. In December 2023, the identity of this new LA team was revealed as Rugby FC LA.

Damm followed the franchise to LA along with a number of the Rugby ATL core from 2023, and he enjoyed a stellar season, earning a career high 14 starts in 15 appearances, scoring a personal best 7 tries and finishing T-8th in MLR for tackles completed with a personal best of 172, running for just shy of 600m gained in possession. Although RFCLA missed out on a playoff spot in their first season, they were competitive thanks to standouts like Damm. On November 29th, 2024, RFCLA confirmed the return of Jason Damm for his 7th MLR season in 2025. He Captained RFCLA to their first postseason appearance in 2025, falling to the Houston SaberCats in the Western Conference Semifinal. Damm matched his career high with 7 tries scored in 16 games, starting 15 times and setting a career high with 199 tackles completed, finishing just outside the MLR top 10. For his stellar season, Damm was named to the All-MLR Second XV.

There was some uncertainty regarding Jason Damm’s future in MLR following the merger between Rugby FC LA and the San Diego Legion to form the California Legion, however on 16th January 2026 the California Legion announced the signing of Damm for their inaugural 2026 season. He was the 2nd player announced by the team, behind Christian Poidevin.

achievements

  • MLR Team of the Week: 2026 – Rd 4
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2026 – Rd 2
  • 2025 All-MLR Second XV Selection
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 16
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 14
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 13
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 9
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 5
  • T-8th in MLR Tackling: 2024 (172)
  • 2021 All-MLR Second XV Selection
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 11
  • 2021 MLR Runner-Up: Rugby ATL

Gonzalo Bertranou

Argentinian scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou played in Major League Rugby between 2025-2026. He represented Rugby FC LA (2025) and the California Legion (2026).

Born and raised in the city of Mendoza in western Argentina, Bertranou’s professional rugby journey started by representing the Argentina XV side in 2013, whom he represented at the 2015 World Rugby Nations Cup, finishing as runners-up to Romania. That same year, Bertranou earned his test debut for Los Pumas in a 71-7 drubbing of Paraguay and signed with the Jaguares in 2016, playing on the first Argentinian Super Rugby side. He played in Super Rugby with the Jaguares from 2016-2020, when the team dissolved due to effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. From Super Rugby, Bertranou moved to Italian side Benetton in the Pro14 (now the URC) before joining the Dragons, where he played from 2021-2024. During the 2023/24 URC season he also played a short stint with the Cardiff blues. Since 2015, Bertranou has been a regular in the Argentina line-up, earning over 60 test caps for Los Pumas and representing his country at two Rugby World Cups, 2019 in Japan, and 2023 in France where Argentina finished 4th.

On November 27th, 2024, Rugby FC LA announced the signing of 30yo Gonzalo Bertranou on a 3yr contract through the 2027 MLR season. In his debut season in MLR, Bertranou scored 6 tries and started all 15 games that he featured in. He gained 684m as a scrumhalf and earned two Team of the Week selections. He was instrumental in helping Rugby FC LA earn their first ever postseason appearance, and started in their Western Conference Semifinal defeat to the Houston SaberCats. For his considerable efforts, he was an easy choice for Rugby FC LA’s Player of the Year and was deservingly named to the All-MLR First XV for the 2025 season. Bertranou was also named the 2025 MLR Back of the Year.

Bertranou remained with the team following the merging of Rugby FC LA with the San Diego Legion to create the California Legion, and his return was announced by the Legion on 26th January, 2026.

achievements

NARDB Player #1,336

Gavin Thornbury

6’8 Irish lock Gavin Thornbury played in Major League Rugby during the 2025 season. He represented the Utah Warriors for his entire MLR career.

Having attended the prestigious Blackrock College in Dublin, Thornbury entered the Leinster Academy and spent 3 years there, earning a development contract with the Irish province for the 2015/16 season. Instead, Thornbury chose to head to New Zealand, helping Wanganui lift the Meads cup in the Heartland Championship, before returning to Ireland to join Connacht, the then-reigning Pro14 Champions. Thornbury made his Pro14 debut in the 2017/18 season, and earned over 75 Pro14/URC appearances for the Irish province between 2017-2024. In 2024, Thornbury left Connacht and headed over the Irish Sea to England, where he signed a short-term deal with the reigning Premiership Champions Northampton for the 2024/25 Premiership season.

Thornbury is a former Ireland U20 player, and represented the Irish Wolfhounds (essentially the Irish ‘B’ team) in 2022. On October 16th, 2024, the Utah Warriors announced the signing of the towering Thornbury for the 2025 MLR season. Although his 2025 season was affected by injury, Thornbury started all 8 of his appearances for the Warriors, completing 78 tackles in total. He Captained the Utha Warriors during the 2025 season, leading them to their best ever reagular season finish as the best team in MLR with an 11-5 record and 58pts. Following the 2025 season, Gavin Thornbury announced his retirement from the professional game on Instagram on 25th August, 2025.

achievements
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 2

NARDB Player #1,303

Jed Holloway

Australian forward Jed Holloway played in Major League Rugby during the 2025 season. He represented the San Diego Legion for his entire MLR career.

Born in  Wollongong in New South Wales, Australia, Holloway began playing rugby early in his youth and when he and his family moved up the coast to Yamba, he played with the Yamba Buccaneers while in school. Holloway attended Waverly College and was selected for the Australian Schoolboys side while there in 2010. He represented the Australia U20 side at the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship before signing with the Southern Districts in Australia’s Shute Shield competition the following year. Also in 2013, Holloway was added to the NSW Waratahs extended training squad, earning his Super Rugby debut against the Western Force in March, 2013.

Holloway earned close to 100 Super Rugby appearances with the Waratahs between 2013-2024, and was a member of the 2014 Super Rugby winning team, and Captain in 2022. He took a brief trip to Japan between 2020-2022 to play with the Toyota Verblitz, before returning to New South Wales and the Waratahs.

Holloway was included in the Wallabies squad for their series against England in July 2022, but had to withdraw due to injury. He eventually earned his test debut as Wallaby #955 against Argentina in August of 2022, also featuring in both of Australia’s Bledisloe Cup games that year. Holloway was included in Australia’s extended squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but did not make the final squad. He has earned 12 caps for his country since 2022.

On November 5th, 2024, the San Diego Legion announced the signing of Jed Holloway for their 2025 MLR campaign. Holloway completed 119 tackles and gained over 250m in possession, scoring 5 tries in 15 games, starting every game as the San Diego Legion missed out on the postseason by a single point. Jed Holloway was an All-MLR Honorable Mention for his performance in 2025.

achievements

NARDB Player #1,318

Federico Gutíerrez

Argentinian lock Federico Gutíerrez played in Major League Rugby during the 2025 season. He represented the Miami Sharks for his entire MLR career.

A native of San Juan in western Argentina, Gutíerrez began playing with Universidad Nacional de San Juan while studying there. He played with La Tablada in the Argentinian domestic league between 2015-2018 prior to the emergence of Super Liga Americana (SLAR). Gutíerrez represented Yacare in the 2020 SLAR season, before joining the Jaguares XV for the 2021 season. Gutíerrez was a regular starter during the Jaguares’ undefeated 2021 SLAR season, and started in the Final against Peñarol. Following this time playing in South America, Gutíerrez headed to France, joining SC Albi for their 2021/22 season in the French 3rd tier, the Nationale. Following a year in France, Gutíerrez signed with Rugby Colorno in the Italian domestic league, the Serie A Elite.

Gutíerrez has represented the Argentina XV side on multiple occasions, but has not earned a test cap for Los Pumas. On December 12th, 2024, the Argentine-heavy Miami Sharks announced the signing of Federico Gutíerrez for their 2025 MLR season.

NARDB Player #1,346

Matías Orlando

Argentinian center Matías Orlando played in Major League Rugby between 2024-2025. He represented the Miami Sharks for his entire MLR career.

A native of Concepción, Tucumán, Orlando has played rugby since and early and has played club rugby with Huirapuca Social Club since 2012. He played with Pampas XV from 2012-2014 and joined the Jaguares in Super Rugby for the entire time they played in Super Rugby between 2016-2020. When the Jaguares disbanded during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Orlando joined the Newcastle Falcons in the English Premiership, where he played from 2020-2024.

Internationally, Orlando earned his full international debut for Argentina in May 2012, a 40-5 victory over Uruguay in the South American Rugby Championship. He has earned over 50 appearances for Los Pumas since 2012, including representing his country at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, and was a starter during Argentina’s first ever victory over the All Blacks in November 2020. Most recently, Orlando was included in the Los Pumas squad for the 2024 Rugby Championship, but did not take the field due to injury.

Orlando joined the Miami Sharks late in their inaugural MLR season in 2024. He earned 3 appearances (all starts) and racked up over 130m gained with ball in hand as the Sharks recorded an admirable 6-10 first season. On October 16th 2024, the Sharks announced the return of Matías Orlando for the 2025 MLR season. Orlando enjoyed a stellar 2025 with the Sharks, scoring 2 tries and completing over 100 tackles in his 14 appearances (all starts) to help the Sharks to their first and only post-season appearance. Following news that the Miami Sharks were withdrawing from Major League Rugby, Matías Orlando returned to Argentina and signed with the Tarucas in Super Rugby Americas on Christmas Eve, 2025.

achievements
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 14
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 10

NARDB Player #1,284