Ohio native Matt Gelhaus played in Major League Rugby between 2023-2025. He represented Rugby ATL (2023) and Rugby FC LA (2024-2025).

A native of Cincinnati. OH, Matt Gelhaus attended Kutztown University and played rugby while there, also representing the USA U20s side in 2020, and the U23s in both 2021 and 2022. Following his graduation, Gelhaus declared for the 2022 MLR Collegiate Draft in which he was selected in the 1st Round, 10th Overall by Rugby ATL, who signed him to an MLR deal shortly after.

The 6’5 lock played with the Rugby ATL Academy side during the fall of 2022, and was named to the roster of the newly established USA Hawks development team in March of 2023. Following the Hawks’ 8-game exhibition season, Gelhaus returned to the RATLers to wrap up the MLR campaign, and made his first MLR appearance in Rugby ATL’s Week 18 clash with Old Glory in DC.

Following the 2023 campaign, MLR and Rugby ATL announced that a new ownership group had taken over the team, which would be relocating to Los Angeles. Gelhaus followed the team, rebranded as Rugby FC LA, to the West Coast and was a member of the 2024 RFCLA roster, although he did not appear at MLR level. He remained with RFCLA through the fall of 2024, engaging with the game at grassroots level, and was a regular at community events throughout the offseason. Gelhaus accompanied RFCLA to Fiji for their groundbreaking pre-season game with the Fijian Drua in January of 2025, but did not feature for the team at MLR level during their 2025 campaign.

Following the merging of RFCLA and the San Diego Legion into the California Legion at the conclusion of the 2025 MLR season, it is currently unknown if Matt Gelhaus will return to MLR in 2026.

achievements

• 2022 MLR Draftee: 1st Round (10th Overall) – Rugby ATL