Irish scrum-half Niall Saunders played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2024. He represented the Utah Warriors (2022-2023), Rugby ATL (2023) and Rugby FC LA (2024).

The English-born former Ireland u18, u19, and u20 scrum-half was signed by the Utah Warriors from English Premiership side Harlequins (after graduating through their academy system) ahead of the 2022 season, scoring 3 tries in 10 games (7 starts) for the Warriors in his debut season in MLR. After not appearing for the Warriors in the first half of the 2023 season, Saunders was traded to Rugby ATL on April 17th 2023 in exchange for 2023 Salary Cap Considerations. With the RATLers, Saunders earned an additional 7 appearances (3 starts) and scored 1 try.

Following the 2023 season, Rugby ATL & MLR announced that the franchise had been sold to new owners, and would be relocating to Los Angeles ahead of the 2024 season. This new ownership group included some crossover with Israel’s Tel Aviv Heat, with whom Saunders had played during the MLR off-season. Saunders moved with the team from Atlanta to Los Angeles, and was named Captain of the newly rebranded Rugby FC LA ahead of their first MLR season in 2024. Saunders scored 3 tries in 13 games (10 starts), and gained over 300m as a scrum-half as well as completing 73 tackles (his previous MLR best was 30 in 2022) as RFCLA recorded an admirable inaugural MLR season.

achievements

• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 4
• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 2