California native Christian Alvarez played in Major League Rugby during the 2022 MLR season. He represented the NOLA Gold for his entire MLR career.

Alvarez moved from California to New Zealand at the age of 10 playing with Counties Manukau’s u18 side in 2016, the same year that he moved back to the US and enrolled at Penn State Berk’s. Alvarez declared for the 2021 MLR Collegiate Draft and was selected  in the 2nd Round, 22nd overall by NOLA Gold, who then signed him in January of 2022.

Alvarez appeared in 2 MLR games during his rookie season, earning his debut in a 53-36 away loss against the Toronto Arrows. Following the season in August of 2022, the NOLA Gold traded Alvarez to the Austin Gilgronis in exchange for 2023 Cap Considerations (undisclosed). The Gilgronis had been disqualified from the 2022 season prior to the Championship Series, and although it would not be the last move they made, Alvarez would be the last player acquired by Austin.

In October of 2022, MLR announced that Austin (along with LA) had been expelled from Major League Rugby, and the team subsequently folded. To date, Alvarez has not returned to MLR. He has been playing club rugby with the Austin Huns, and has represented Mexico at both 7s and 15s test level.

Achievements:

• MLR Draftee: 2021 – 2nd Round (22nd overall) – NOLA Gold