Position: Number 8

Corey Thomas

Australian born Canadian international lock Corey Thomas played in Major League Rugby between 2021-2023. He represented the LA Giltinis from 2021 until their demise in 2022, and the Toronto Arrows in 2023.

Thomas has earned 11 caps for Canada, with whom he is eligible through is Edmonton-born father. He is also an MLR Champion, having lifted the shield with the LA Giltinis in 2021. Thomas earned 25 MLR caps, 24 with LA and just 1 for the Arrows before his 2023 season was cut short due to injury. On 28th June 2023, Corey Thomas announce the end of his professional playing career.

Achievements:

2021 MLR Champion (LA Giltinis)

Adam Ashe

Internationally Capped Scottish Number 8 Adam Ashe represented the LA Giltinis in Major League Rugby from 2021-2022.

Ashe joined LA ahead of the 2021 MLR season following a nearly 10yr stint with Glasgow Warriors of the URC. He made 13 appearances (12 starts) during the Giltinis’ 2021 MLR Championship season and earned 16 MLR caps in total (13 starts), scoring 2 tries!

On 2nd July 2022, a then 28yo Ashe announced an end to his playing career following a neck injury early in the 2022 MLR season exacerbating existing issues from 2014. He has shifted his focus to coaching, having already been a Defence & Forwards coach with UCLA during his time in California, and joined Stirling County RFC in Scotland as a Defence coach in summer of 2022.

MLR Honours:

2021 MLR Champion – LA Giltinis

Angus Cottrell

Australian back row Angus Cottrell played in Major League Rugby between 2021-2022. He represented the LA Giltinis for his entire MLR career,

Cottrell played rugby from an early age and his grandfather Nev Cottrell captained the Wallabies against the British & Irish Lions. Having played rugby growing up, Cottrell’s senior career began in 2008, representing the West Brisbane Bulldogs in the Queensland Premier Rugby competition until 2011. His performances for the Wests earned him a Super Rugby contract with the Western Force, who he represented from 2012-2017, earning over 50 appearances in Super Rugby before signing with the Melbourne Rebels, with whom he earned another 34 Super Rugby appearances between 2018-2020 and played with future Giltinis teammate Billy Meakes.

In December 2020, the LA Giltinis announced the signing of Cottrell for their inaugural MLR campaign in 2021, joining an Australian-heavy roster. He quickly became a stand-out back row, and led the entire league in tries scored for the 2021 season, totalling 12 scores as the Giltinis advanced to the Championship final, dispatching Rugby ATL 31-17 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Across his two seasons in LA, Cottrell scored 14 tries in 21 MLR appearances (19 starts), totaling just over 900m gained with ball in hand and 170 tackles. A week prior to the 2022 Championship Series, MLR announced that the LA Giltinis, along with sister team the Austin Gilgronis, were disqualified from the 2022 Playoffs for alleged salary cap violations and a ‘violation of league rules’. Following the 2022 season, both Austin and LA franchises folded, and in October 2022, Cottrell announced an end to his professional playing career.

achievements:

2021 MLR Champion: LA Giltinis
1st in MLR Try Scoring: 2021 (12)

Jaco Bezuidenhout

South African back row Hendrik Willem Jacobus ‘Jaco’ Bezuidenhout played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2024. He represented the Houston SaberCats (2022-2023) and the New England Free Jacks (2024).

A part of the Blue Bulls system between 2018-2021, Jaco Bezuidenhout earned his Currie Cup debut in 2021 against Western Province. His signing was announced by the Houston SaberCats in December 2021, ahead of the 2022 MLR season. In his debut season in North America, Bezuidenhout earned 11 caps with the ‘Cats (all starts). He remained with the SaberCats for the 2023 MLR season, but a shoulder injury kept him off the pitch for the entire season.

On 3rd November 2023, the New England Free Jacks announced the signing of Jaco Bezuidenhout for the 2024 MLR season.

Gideon van Wyk

South African back row Gideon van Wyk played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2024, representing the Houston SaberCats for his entire MLR career.

Van Wyk’s original signing was announced in December 2021 ahead of the 2022 MLR season, with the then-20yo joined from the Cheetah’s organisation where he primarily played with the Free State Cheetahs side in the Currie Cup, having also played with the University of Free State. Van Wyk earned 13 caps (4 starts) during his debut MLR season, scoring 5 tries for the SaberCats on the way to their first ever Championship Series appearance, a 27-46 loss to the Seattle Seawolves in the Western Conference Final.

Gideon van Wyk followed up a solid debut season in MLR with a very impressive second year which earned him a All-MLR 2nd XV selection, gaining over 500m and scoring 11 tries in 10 games (8 starts) including a hattrick in Round 14’s 34-28 loss to the Utah Warriors, the 3rd hattrick in SaberCats club history. 10 of his 11 tries (in only 10 games) came in the regular season, finishing T-4th in the league. He earned more Team of the Week selections in 2023 than any other SaberCats player, with 3.

On 9th October 2023, the Houston SaberCats announced the return of Gideon van Wyk for the 2024 MLR season in which he played a smaller role, scoring 2 tries in 5 games (all starts) as the SaberCats finished top of the Western Conference with a league-best 14-2 record, and qualified to face the Dallas Jackals in the Quarter-Finals

Achievements

All-MLR Second XV Selection – 2023
T-4th in MLR Scoring: 2023 (11)
MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Round 15
MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Round 14
MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Round 2
MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Round 14

Danny Barrett

American back row forward Danny Barrett represented the Houston SaberCats in Major League Rugby between 2022-2023.

A capped USA Eagle at both 7s and 15s levels, Barrett represented his country at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, and at over 50 World Sevens Series events and the 2016 and 2021 Olympic Games. He also played in the inaugural season of the US’s professional sevens League in 2021, the Premier Rugby Sevens. Barrett’s signing was announced by the SaberCats shortly after, in December 2021.

Across his 2 seasons with the ‘Cats, Barrett earned 28 MLR caps including 20 starts, scoring 5 tries. He also captained the Texas side 5 times, 4 of which came in 2022. He appeared in both of the ‘Cats first 2 Championship Series games, the 2nd of which ended with him attempting a conversion following a last minute consolation score.

In early August 2023, Barrett announced the end of his professional playing career. He moves on to the administrative side of the game, accepting a position as Executive Director with the Golden Eagles, a philanthropic group supporting the Men’s and Women’s USA Sevens.

Achievements:

MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Week 3

Emmanuel Albert

Minnesota native Emmanuel Albert played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2026. He has represented the Houston SaberCats (2022-2025) and the Chicago Hounds (2026).

A product of Lindenwood University, Emmanuel Albert was selected 2nd overall by the Houston SaberCats in the 2021 MLR Draft, and signed with the team ahead of the 2022 season. He earned 13 MLR caps and his first start for Houston in his rookie year in 2022, also scoring his first MLR try. He followed this up with a 16-cap season in his sophomore year, racking up over 250m gained and 115 successful tackles as well as his first Team of the Week selection in Round 16. Having earned 29 caps through his first 2 years in MLR, the Houston SaberCats announced the return of Emmanuel Albert for the 2024 season on 17th November 2023. Albert equalled his high of 16 appearances in 2024, but earned a PB 6 starts and scored 2 tries as the SaberCats finished with the best record in MLR during the 2024 regular season, 14-2. Albert came off the bench as the SaberCats were stunned by the Dallas Jackals in the Western Conference Semifinal, ending their season far earlier than they would’ve hoped.

On December 21st, 2024, the Houston SaberCats announced the return of Emmanuel Albert for his 4th MLR season in 2025, where he will continue his role as a stalwart in the SaberCats pack. During Round 6 of that season, Albert earned his 50th MLR appearance in a high-scoring, 45-46 victory over Anthem RC. Albert is the first MLR Draftee to reach 50 Appearances in the competition. Albert’s previous career high for starts before 2025 was 6, but he started 16 of his 17 appearances for the SaberCats in 2025 as they finished the regular season 2nd in the Western Conference before earning their first postseason victories by defeating 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. As well as recording a career high in starts, Albert set new career highs in Metres Gained (311m) and finished T-10 League-wide in tackles Completed, with 206.

Following the surprise withdrawal of the Houston SaberCats from Major League Rugby, Emmanuel Albert headed north and signed with the Chicago Hounds on 22nd December, 2025.

Achievements:

2025 Western Conference Champion – Houston SaberCats
T-10th in MLR Tackling: 2025 (206)
MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 17
First MLR Draftee to reach 50 Appearances
MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 6
MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 5
MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Rd 16
2021 MLR Draftee: 2nd Overall (1st Rd) – Houston SaberCats

Keni Nasoqeqe

Fijian born lock/back row Keni Nasoqeqe played in Major League Rugby between 2019-2026. He represented the San Diego Legion (2019-2021),the Houston SaberCats (2022-2025), and the California Legion (2026).

Nasoqeqe played with Belmont Shore RFC between 2015-2019, playing both fifteens and sevens. He signed with the San Diego Legion for the 2019 MLR season, earning 13 caps (12 starts) and scoring 2 tries before injury cut his season short. That year, the Legion would advance to the Championship Final, falling to the Seattle Seawolves 23-26 on the final play of the game. Nasoqeqe would earn 28 caps for the Legion in total across 3 seasons between 2019-2021, starting 22 times and scoring 5 tries. Nasoqeqe signed with the Houston SaberCats for the 2022 season, earning a career high in appearances (17) and starts (14) in his debut season with the ‘Cats, as they earned their first playoff berth in club history. Nasoqeqe earned 29 caps for the SaberCats over his 2 seasons there through 2023. Following the 2023 season, Nasoqeqe represented the USA Eagles in a non-capped game against Stade Toulousain in September.

Keni Nasoqeqe earned his 50th MLR cap on 30th April, 2023, becoming the 48th player in league history to reach the milestone. On 29th December 2023, the Houston SaberCats announced the return of Keni Nasoqeqe for the 2024 MLR season. Nasoqeqe appeared in all 17 games for the SaberCats in their 2024 season as they recorded a MLR-best 14-2 record in the regular season before being stunned by Texas rivals the Dallas Jackals in the Western Conference Semifinals. Nasoqeqe started 13 times and scored a career high 4 tries in 2024, also setting another career high of 407m gained in possession, and passing 500 career tackles completed. On November 26th, 2024, the Houston SaberCats announced the return of Keni Nasoqeqe for his 7th MLR season in 2025, and his 4th with Houston. That season, he earned another 17 appearances for the SaberCats as they advanced to the 2025 Championship Game, with Nasoqeqe coming off the bench for the ‘Cats in all 3 playoff games including the final. He added another 89 tackles completed to take his career total to 630 in 91 MLR appearances through 2025, with just shy of 1,800m gained in possession.

Following the surprise withdrawal of the Houston SaberCats from Major League Rugby following the 2025 season, Keni Nasoqeqe headed back to the west coast, and was announced by the California Legion on 26th February, 2026.