Season: MLR 2026

The 9th season of Major League Rugby saw the merging of the San Diego Legion and Rugby FC LA to form the California Legion, as well as the withdrawal of multiple teams to take the league from 11 sides in 2025, to 6 in 2026.

Ma’ake Muti

US-eligible Tongan prop Ma’ake Muti played in Major League Rugby in 2021 and from 2025-2026. He represented the LA Giltinis (2021), the Miami Sharks (2025), and the California Legion (2026).

A native of Tongatapu, Tonga, Muti and his family moved to Hawaii in 2008. He was a multi-sport athlete while at Leilehua High School, competing in wrestling, captaining the track & field team, and winning the OIA Western Championship competing at shot put while also playing with the football team. During this time he was also playing club rugby with the Kalihi Raiders. He and his family (that includes his brother Netane Muti, currently a guard for the Detroit Lions in the NFL) became US citizens in December 2014. Ma’ake played football while attending Azusa Pacific University from 2014-2019, before returning to rugby following his graduation.

Muti was signed with the Dallas Jackals as a development player ahead of their planned entry into MLR in 2021, but once the Jackals pushed their entry to 2022, he signed with the LA Giltinis. He earned 6 MLR appearances with the Giltinis during their 2021 Shield-winning season, before joining the American Raptors. He played with the Raptors in Super Rugby Americas between 2021-2024. Perhaps because of the announcement that the Raptors would not be playing professional rugby in 2025, the Miami Sharks announced on November 7th, 2024 that they had signed Ma’ake Muti for their 2025 MLR season. He enjoyed a solid 2025 season with the Miami Sharks, starting 12 times and appearing in 16 of Miami’s 17 games in 2025 including the team’s only playoff game against the New England Free Jacks, which he started. He scored his 1st career MLR try that season on 78m gained, and recorded just under 100 tackles (91) to take his career total to 115. Following the withdrawal of the Miami Sharks during the 2025/26 MLR offseason, Ma’ake Muti headed to California and signed with the new-look Legion. He was announced by the team on 17th February, 2026.

achievements
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 2
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 1
  • 2021 MLR Champion: LA Giltinis

Billy Meakes

Australian centre Billy Meakes played in Major League Rugby between 2021-2026. He represented the LA Giltinis (2021-2022), the Chicago Hounds (2023-2024), Rugby FC LA (2025), and the California Legion (2026).

Billy Meakes’ signing was announced by the Giltinis in December of 2020 ahead of the 2021 season, joining from London Irish in the English Premiership where he was playing as injury cover following a few seasons with the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby. Meakes appeared in 10 regular season games and both Championship Series games (all starts) as the Giltinis claimed the MLR Shield in their first season in the competition, prevailing 31-17 over Rugby ATL (now Rugby FC LA) at the LA Coliseum. Meakes gained 913m with ball in hand that season, placing him 10th in MLR. He was selected as MLR Back of the Year for his performance during the 2021 season. Meakes followed up 2021 with 15 appearances (all starts) and 3 tries in the 2022 season, before the LA Giltinis were disqualified along with the Austin Gilgronis prior to the 2022 playoffs. Meakes was again selected MLR Back of the Year for his performance in 2022 and was one of only 2 players (with Rugby ATL‘s Johan Momsen) to earn 5 Team of the Week selections in the 2022 season. He also improved on his meters gained, recording an MLR-leading 1,553m gained with ball in hand.

In the subsequent Dispersal Draft, Meakes was selected 7th by the Chicago Hounds and represented them for the 2023 & 2024 seasons. He joined the Hounds a few weeks into the 2023 season due to visa issues, but still appeared in 14 of 16 games in the Hounds‘ inaugural MLR season and racked up over 1150m gained and over 150 successful tackles, scoring 1 try.

Through his first 3 seasons in MLR, Meakes earned 41 caps (all starts) and scored 6 tries. On 17th October 2023, the Chicago Hounds announced the return of Billy Meakes for the 2024 MLR season, where he would Captain the Hounds to their first ever playoff appearance, a victory over the NOLA Gold before falling to eventual Champions the New England Free Jacks in the Eastern Conference Final. In total, Meakes gained 1.084m in possession (8th in MLR) in 16 games (all starts, a career high) and completing 135 tackles. Meakes was named to the All-MLR Honorable Mention XV for his play in 2024.

On November 19th, 2024, Meakes announced on Instagram that he would not be returning to the Hounds for the 2025 season. Given that he resides in LA, where he co-owns a cafe, and his former Giltinis coach Stephen Hoiles is now the Director of Rugby & Head Coach at Rugby FC LA with his former Giltinis captain Dave Dennis serving as Assistant coach, all signs point to Meakes joining RFCLA for 2025. On December 5th, 2024, Rugby FC LA confirmed the signing of Billy Meakes for the 2025 season. Although LA got off to a rough start with 3 losses in a row, Meakes was instrumental in the team turning around their season, following 3 losses with 3 wins in which Meakes earned 3 MLR Team of the Week selections in a row. In total that season, Meakes earned 5 Team of the Week selections behind only Utah Warriors’ Frank Lochore in 2025. He helped RFCLA to qualify for the postseason for the first time in their history, where they fell 27-21 to the Houston SaberCats in the Western Conference Semifinal. For his efforts, Billy Meakes was names as the Rugby FC LA’s 2025 Back of the Year in their end of season awards, and was named to the 2025 All-MLR 1st XV, his fifth All-MLR selection.

Billy Meakes remained in California following the merger of Rugby FC LA with the San Diego Legion to form the California Legion, and was announced by the team ahead of their inaugural 2026 season on 28th January, 2026. In his 6th season in MLR, Meakes started all 10 of his appearances for the new look Legion, helping the team finish in 3rd with a 5-5 record and qualify for the postseason, where they defeated the Seattle Seawolves on the road before falling to the dominant Chicago Hounds in the soaking wet 2026 Championship Game. Meakes played a full 80 minutes in both Legion playoff games that season, contributing one of his 3 try assists in the Championship game. In total, Meakes beat 22 defenders on 380m gained in 2026 and recorded 117 tackles made, marking the 5th year in a row where he completed 100+ tackles and passing 800 over his 83 game MLR career. Following the 2026 season, Meakes was named to the All-MLR First XV for the 4th time, marking his 6th All-MLR selection in total which equals Dylan Fawsitt as the most All-MLR selections in League history.

Achievements

  • 2026 All-MLR First XV Selection
  • 2026 MLR Runner-Up: California Legion
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2026 – Rd 4
  • 2025 All-MLR First XV Selection
  • Rugby FC LA 2025 Back of the Year
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 12
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 8
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 7
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 6
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 5
  • 2024 All-MLR Honorable Mention XV Selection
  • 8th in MLR Meters Gained: 2024 (1,084m)
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 8
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 6
  • 2023 All-MLR Second XV Selection
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Rd 5
  • 2022 All-MLR First XV Selection
  • 2022 MLR Back of the Year
  • 1t in MLR Meters Gained: 2022 (1,553m)
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Rd 15
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Rd 14
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Rd 8
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Rd 4
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Rd 2
  • 2021 All-MLR First XV Selection
  • 2021 MLR Back of the Year
  • 2021 MLR Champion: LA Giltinis
  • 10th in MLR Meters Gained: 2021 (913m)
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2021 – Conference Finals
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2021 – Rd 17
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2021 – Rd 16

Christian Poidevin

Australian flanker Christian Poidevin played in Major League Rugby between 2021-2026. He represented the LA Giltinis (2021-2022), the San Diego Legion (2023-2025), and the California Legion (2026).

The son of Wallabies legend and 1991 RWC winning Captain Simon Poidevin, Christian’s signing was announced by the LA Giltinis in December of 2020, ahead of their inaugural MLR season in 2021. He joined from Randwick in the Shute Shield competition in Australia, a legendary Rugby club. In his first professional season in North America, Poidevin earned 12 caps with the Giltinis, scoring 2 tries. He started both of LA’s Championship Series games that season including the final, where the Giltinis saw off Rugby ATL (now LA) 31-17 to claim the MLR Shield in their inaugural season. Poidevin would appear in all 16 games of the 2022 regular season for LA, starting 14 times and adding 2 more tries to his total before the franchise was disqualified shortly before the 2022 playoffs, and eventually ceased operations in the offseason. He had completed 200 tackles in 2022 and finished T-10th in MLR in this category

Poidevin was selected by Rugby ATL (now Rugby FC LA) in the subsequent dispersal draft but chose to instead remain in Southern California, signing with the San Diego Legion ahead of the 2023 MLR season. He appeared in a 12 games during the Legion’s record-breaking 15-1 season, scoring 4 tries during the regular season and a 5th in the Championship Series, where he started both games for San Diego as they fell 24-25 to the New England Free Jacks in the Championship Final in Chicago.

On 13th October 2023, the San Diego Legion announced that they had signed Poidevin to a 3yr contract that would see him remain in California through the 2026 MLR season. With links to Chicago through his mother’s side of the family, this has led some to speculate that Poidevin may be eyeing a USA International cap in the future. On November 7th, 2024, the Legion confirmed his return for the 2025 season. Despite the Legion missing out on the postseason by a single point, Poidevin had an excellent 2025 season. He set a new career high with 8 tries scored in his 14 games, starting 11 times. He also added another 170 tackles to his total, and just under 300m gained in possession. For his considerable efforts, he was named as the 2025 San Diego Legion Player’s Player of the Year.

To confirm thoughts that Poidevin was eyeing a career as a USA Eagle, he was included in the USA’s 32-man squad for their July 2025 tests, and earned his debut as Eagle #593 against England. Following the merger of the San Diego Legion with Rugby FC LA to create the California Legion, Poidevin became the first player confirmed by the club for their 2026 campaign on 14th January, 2026.

Achievements:
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2026 – Rd 2
  • 2025 San Diego Legion’s Player’s Player of the Year
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 17
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 12
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 6
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 2
  • 2023 MLR Runner-Up: San Diego Legion
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Rd 16
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Rd 8
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Rd 5
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Rd 2
  • T-10th in MLR Tackling: 2022 (200)
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Rd 17
  • 2021 MLR Champion: LA Giltinis

JP Smith

South African scrum-half Juan-Philip ‘JP’ Smith played in Major League Rugby between 2019-2026. He represented the Seattle Seawolves for his entire MLR career.

Prior to joining MLR, JP Smith already had an impressive resume having represented the Springboks at U20 level in 2014. He played with the Blue Bulls from 2013-15, and the Cheetahs from 2016-17. He represented the Southern Kings in the PRO 14 (but still based in South Africa) in 2018 before moving to the Eastern Province Elephants in the Currie Cup competition.

Smith has played in Major League Rugby in every season since 2019, and is one of the most capped players in the league. He has earned 73 caps (66 starts) all for the Seattle Seawolves, scoring 17 tries and 103pts total (5/6 from the tee – 83.33%). His high of 6 tries in a season came in 2019, when the Seawolves raised their 2nd MLR Shield following a 23-26 victory over the San Diego Legion in which JP Smith scored a try. Smith has 22pts in Championship Series games to date, placing him 5th all-time in terms of playoff points scored.

On 26th October 2023, the Seattle Seawolves announced that they had extended JP Smith through the 2025 MLR season, and he appeared in all 19 games of the 2024 regular season, scoring 3 tries and Captaining the side a number of times in Riekert Hattingh’s absence. Smith was one of only 2 players to appear in the maximum 19 games during 2024, as the Seawolves defeated the San Diego Legion and Dallas Jackals to earn a spot in their 4th (and Smith’s 3rd) MLR final, where they fell 11-20 to the New England Free Jacks in San Diego. Smith was named to the All-MLR Honorable Mention XV for his play during 2024. Following the regular season, Smith earned his debut with the USA Eagles (whom he qualifies for on residency) on 5th July, a 20-22 loss to Romania in Chicago, before returning to the Seawolves for the MLR post-season.

JP Smith was included when the Seattle Seawolves announced their full roster for 2025 on January 14th, 2025. This will be Smith’s 7th season in MLR with the Seawolves, where he became the 2nd player in MLR history to reach 100 games played in the competition on 18th April, 2025. He is the first player in MLR history to play 100 games with a single team. Smith recorded 2 tries in 14 games (all starts) during the 2025 season, passing 700 tackles in his MLR career, more than any other scrum-half in league history. On 2nd December 2025, the Seattle Seawolves announced the return of JP Smith for his 8th season in 2026. Smith earned 10 appearances in 2026, starting 8 times and scoring his 23rd career try. He spent most of the 2026 season playing on the wing in part due to injuries in the Seawolves roster, but he gained just under 250m and contributed 4 assists and 11 defenders beaten to help Seattle qualify for the postseason yet again, where they fell to the California Legion in the Semifinals at Starfire Stadium, where JP Smith was a reserve. For his efforts in the 2026 season, JP Smith was named as the Seattle Seawolves’ Club Man of the Year.

Achievements:

  • 2026 Seattle Seawolves Club Man of the Year
  • 2024 MLR Runner-Up: Seattle Seawolves
  • 2024 All-MLR Honorable Mention XV
  • 2024 MLR Ironman
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 5
  • 2023 All-MLR Honorable Mention XV
  • 2022 MLR Runner-Up: Seattle Seawolves
  • 2022 All-MLR 1st XV
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2020 – Rd 4
  • 2019 MLR Champion: Seattle Seawolves
  • 2019 MLR Championship MVP
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2019 – Championship Final
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2019 – Rd 17
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2019 – Rd 16

Sean McNulty

English born Irish hooker Sean McNulty played in Major League Rugby between 2019-2026. He represented the Rugby New York Ironworkers (2019), the New England Free Jacks (2020), the LA Giltinis (2021), Seattle Seawolves (2022, 2026), San Diego Legion (2023), and Miami Sharks (2024-2025)

Born in London, England to Irish parents, McNulty moved to New York aged 1 but still calls Dublin his hometown and represented Ireland at both U19 & U20 levels. He represented the New England Free Jacks for their exhibition season in 2019, before being loaned to Rugby United New York (now the Rugby New York Ironworkers) for their inaugural 2019 season. He returned to the Free Jacks for their inaugural season in 2020, a season that was shortened due to COVID-19. McNulty moved across the country to join the LA Giltinis for their inuagural MLR season in 2021, playing a key role in their Championship-winning season. He remained with the Giltinis into the 2022 season but was traded to the Seattle Seawolves part way through in exchange for 2022 Cap Considerations (unknown), and finished the season in the PNW with Seattle on their run to the Championship Final against his former team, Rugby New York. Following the 2022 season, the Seattle Seawolves traded Sean McNulty to the San Diego Legion in exchange for Ben Mitchell, and McNulty remained with the Legion for the 2023 season, again going to the Championship Final but falling 24-25 to the New England Free Jacks. On 21st December 2023, the San Diego Legion traded McNulty to the Miami Sharks in exchange for 2024 Salary Cap Considerations (unknown). McNulty appeared in all 16 Sharks games during their inaugural season, starting 10 times and scoring 2 tries. He set career highs in both metres gained (337m) and tackles completed (122).

As of the conclusion of the 2024 MLR season, McNulty had earned a total of 56 MLR Caps (26 starts) scoring 5 tries. He has featured in the Inaugural Seasons of 4 different MLR Teams: Rugby United New York (2019), the New England Free Jacks (2020), the LA Giltinis (2021), and the Miami Sharks (2024). McNulty appeared in 2 consecutive MLR Championship Finals, the LA Giltinis (2021, won), Seattle Seawolves (2022, lost), and was with the San Diego Legion (lost) for the 2023 Final but did not feature.

Following the 2024 MLR season, McNulty was included in the USA squad for the Pacific Nations Cup, and earned his test debut as Eagle #577 in a win against Canada on August 31st, 2024. On October 23rd, 2024, the Miami Sharks announced the return of Sean McNulty for their 2025 MLR season, where he started 7 of 16 appearances and added a 6th career MLR try as well as 55 tackles and 119m gained in possession to help the Miami Sharks to their first and only postseason appearance. Following the withdrawal of the Miami Sharks from Major league Rugby in August 2025, Sean McNulty returned to the Seattle Seawolves, who announced his signing for the 2026 season on Christmas Eve 2025.

Achievements

Luke Carty

US-capped Irishman Luke Carty played in Major League Rugby between 2021-2025. He represented the LA Giltinis (2021-2022), the Chicago Hounds (2023-2024), the NOLA Gold (2025), and Anthem RC (2026).

Carty, an Athlone native who qualifies for the USA through his New York-born grandfather, represented the Ireland U18 side, and the U20s at World Rugby Championship in 2017. He played with the Connacht Academy as well as the ‘A’ side and the Connacht Eagles. He signed with Australian side Gordon in the Shute Shield competition for 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic meant Carty was unable to travel.

Carty signed with the LA Giltinis ahead of their inaugural season in 2021, earning 15 caps (6 starts) in his first season in North America, scoring 19pts from the tee (8/18 – 44.44%). Carty came off the bench for LA in the MLR Championship Game, where the Giltinis defeated Rugby ATL 31-17 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to lift the 2021 Shield. Following his first season in MLR, Carty was selected for the USA National team squad for their July tests, earning his debut as Eagle #536 against England. Carty was sidelined for much of the following season through injury, earning 3 further appearances (2 starts) late in the season and scoring 29pts from the tee (13/14 – 92.86%), before the LA Giltinis were disqualified from the 2022 season (along with the Austin Gilgronis, their sister team) for alleged breaches of the salary cap. The Giltinis folded in the offseason, and in the subsequent Expansion/Dispersal draft, Carty was selected 2nd overall by the Chicago Hounds expansion side, with whom he signed a multi-year contract prior to the Hounds’ inaugural season in 2023.

Carty appeared in every game for the Hounds during the 2023 season, starting 13 times and scoring a career high 64pts from the tee (25/35 – 71.43%) to take his MLR total to over 100pts. On 3rd January 2024, the Hounds confirmed the return of Luke Carty for the 2024 season where he scored his first MLR try and 58pts in 11 games (10 starts) as the Hounds advanced to the Eastern Conference Final before falling in a nailbiter to the eventual Champions, the New England Free Jacks. On November 22nd, 2024, the NOLA Gold confirmed the signing of Luke Carty for the 2025 season, leaving Chicago after 2 seasons with the Hounds.

In his first season with the NOLA Gold, Luke Carty started 7 of his 11 appearances and racked up 49pts, taking his career total over the 200pts mark in his 56 MLR appearances (38 starts). Unfortunately for Carty, following the 2025 season the NOLA Gold announced that they would not be competing in the 2026 MLR season, becoming one of the 4 teams that withdrew from the competition after 2025. While Carty on international duty with the USA Eagles for their November tests, Anthem RC announced the signing of Carty for their 2026 campaign on November 3rd, 2025. Carty’s contract with Anthem RC is 2yrs, through the 2027 season.

achievements:

Nathan Den Hoedt

Australian lock Nathan den Hoedt played in Major League Rugby between 2021-2026. He represented the LA Giltinis (2021-2022) the Houston SaberCats (2023-2025), and the Chicago Hounds (2026).

Brisbane native Nathan ‘Moose’ den Hoedt played with NRC side NSW Country Eagles as well as an Emerging NSW Waratahs side. He played with the famous Randwick Club in the 2019/20 Shute Shield before making the move stateside. Den Hoedt signed with the LA Giltinis ahead of their inaugural MLR season in 2021, earning 16 appearances (13 starts) and scoring 1 try as the Giltinis advanced all the way to the Championship Final in their first season, defeating Rugby ATL 31-17 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to lift the 2021 Shield. Den Hoedt returned for the Giltinis for the 2022 MLR season, starting all 16 games during the regular season and scoring another try before the LA Giltinis (along with their sister team, the Austin Gilgronis) were disqualified for alleged salary cap breaches. In the offseason, the Giltinis folded.

In the subsequent Expansion/Dispersal draft, den Hoedt was selected 19th overall by the Chicago Hounds expansion side and on 2nd December 2023, the Hounds traded him to the Houston SaberCats in exchange for 2023 Salary Cap Considerations (unknown). Den Hoedt signed with the ‘Cats for the 2023 season, earning 14 appearances for his new side and racking up 95 successful tackles. On 6th January 2024, the Houston SaberCats announced the return of Nathan den Hoedt for the 2024 MLR season where he served as part of the leadership group as he started 10 times in as many games for the SaberCats as they recorded an MLR-best record of 14-2 in the regular season before being stunned by the Dallas Jackals in the Western Conference Semifinals, a game which Den Hoedt started and was Houston Captain.

Nathan Den Hoedt would return for a 3rd year with the Houston SaberCats in 2025, continuing his role as Captain. He scored a career high 5 tries, starting 17 of his 18 appearances for Houston (both also career highs) as they would finish 2nd in the Western Conference, before earning their first ever playoff victories, defeating Rugby FC LA and the Utah Warriors to claim the Western Conference Title. The SaberCats would fall to the New England Free Jacks in the 2025 Championship in Rhode Island. Den Hoedt started all 3 playoff games for Houston. He recorded his 3rd 100+ tackle season, finishing with 147 and passing 1,000m gained in his career. For his efforts, he was named to the All-MLR 1st XV team, his first All-MLR selection.

Following the surprise announcement in September 2025 that the Houston SaberCats would not participate in the 2026 MLR season, Den Hoedt took his skills to the midwest. The Chicago Hounds announced the addition of Nathan Den Hoedt for their 2026 campaign on October 24th, 2025. In his first season in Chicago, Den Hoedt started all 10 of his appearances during a dominant season with the Hounds. He contributed 3 tries and an assist, and completed 90 tackles to help the team claim their first MLR Shield with the first perfect season in league history, a 12-0 run. He was named to the All-MLR First XV for his play in 2026, and following the MLR season he was selected for the USA National Team’s Nations Cup campaign in July, for whom he was freshly eligible on residency. He earned his test debut as USA Eagle #599 in a tightly fought 30-29 victory over Portugal on July 4th.

achievements:

  • 2026 All-MLR First XV
  • 2026 MLR Champion: Chicago Hounds
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2026 – Rd 9
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2026 – Rd 4
  • 2025 All-MLR First XV Selection
  • 2025 Western Conference Champion – Houston SaberCats
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 4
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 11
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Rd 13
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Rd 6
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Rd 4
  • 2021 MLR Champion: LA Giltinis
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2021 – Rd 10
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2021 – Rd 6

Charlie Abel

Australian prop Charlie Abel played in Major League Rugby between 2021-2026. He represented the LA Giltinis (2021-2022) and the Chicago Hounds (2023-2026).

Abel played with CS Beaune in the French regional leagues for the 2016/17 season, before returning the Australia to play for the Manly Marlins in the 2017/18 Shute Shield, and Gordon in the 2019/20 Shute Shield, which they won. His 2 seasons in the Shute Shield sandwiched a season in the NRC with the NSW Country Eagles. Abel signed with the Melbourne Rebels for Super Rugby Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is the brother of Robbie Abel, currently a member of the Seattle Seawolves coaching staff

Abel signed with the LA Giltinis ahead of their inaugural season in MLR. He earned 16 appearances (14 starts) as the Giltinis advanced to the 2021 Championship Final, defeating Rugby ATL 31-17 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to lift the Shield in their first season in the competition. Abel earned 4 MLR Team of the Week selections during the 2023 season, bested only by Rugby New York Ironworkers’ Nate Brakeley with 5. Abel was recognised with All-MLR honours, being included in an Honourable Mention XV for the 2021 season. He earned a further 15 appearances (8 starts) during the regular season the following year, scoring 3 tries before the Giltinis, along with the Austin Gilgronis (LA’s sister team), were disqualified from the 2022 season prior to the Championship Series. Both LA & Austin folded following the season’s conclusion. In the subsequent expansion/dispersal draft, Charlie Abel was selected 15th overall by the Chicago Hounds expansion side, and signed there on a multi-year contract for their inaugural season in 2023 and beyond. He appeared in 15 of the Hounds’ 16 regular season games in 2023, starting 7 and scoring 2 tries. He racked up 300m gained with ball in hand and completed 127 tackles.

Through his first 3 seasons in MLR, Abel earned 46 MLR caps (29 starts) and scored 6 tries. His return was confirmed by the Chicago Hounds on 3rd January, 2024 where he earned another 10 starts in 16 appearances, scoring another try and completing over 100 tackles for a 4th straight season. He came off the bench in both of the Hounds’ MLR Playoff games in 2024, as they dispatched the NOLA Gold in the Eastern Conference Semifinal, before falling to the eventual Champions the New England Free Jacks in the Eastern Conference Final, where Abel made 15 tackles off the bench. On January 9th, 2025, the Chicago Hounds confirmed the return of Charlie Abel for the 2025 season, his 3rd with Chicago and 5th in MLR. Abel earned 3 MLR Team of the week selections in his 13 games during the 2025 season, starting 12 times including both of the Chicago Hounds playoff games that year, playing a full 80 minutes during their heartbreaking Eastern Conference Final defeat to the New England Free Jacks for the 2nd year in a row. He recorded 132 that year, marking the 5th successive season with over 100 tackles, and he now sits on 645 tackles in his 75 career MLR appearances (51 starts).

On November 18th, 2025, the Chicago Hounds announced the return of Charlie Abel for his 4th season with the team and 6th in Major League Rugby in 2026. Charlie Abel started 8 of his 10 appearances with the Chicago Hounds that year, tying his career high with 3 tries scored. Abel earned 4 Team of the Week selections during the 2026 season and was named to the All-MLR First XV for his performance. He beat 14 defenders on over 175m gained and completed 87 tackles in defence during a dominant season for the Hounds. 16 of those tackles came in the Championship game, where the Hounds defeated the California Legion 35-17 to lift their first Shield and complete a perfect 12-0 season. Following the 2026 campaign, Abel was a late addition to the USA Squad for the July portion of the World Rugby Nations Cup, and earned his test debut as USA Eagle #604 against Spain on the 3rd and final weekend. Although he played with Auckland in the NPC in 2022, NARDB understands that USAR was granted an exemption for Abel to be made US Eligible as he only featured in 2 games for Auckland, both as a replacement. On 18th August, French Pro D2 side Oyonnax announced that they had signed Charlie Abel to a short-term contract as a medical joker.

achievements:

  • 2026 All-MLR First XV Selection
  • 2026 MLR Champion: Chicago Hounds
  • MLR Player of the Week: 2026 – Rd 4
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2026 – Rd 4
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2026 – Rd 3
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2026 – Rd 2
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 15
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 12
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 8
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 15
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Rd 3
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Rd 17
  • 2021 All-MLR Honorable Mention
  • MLR Champion: 2021 (LA Giltinis)
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2021 – Rd 11
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2021 – Rd 10
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2021 – Rd 4
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2021 – Rd 1

Marno Redelinghuys

South African lock/flanker Marno Redelinghuys played in Major League Rugby between 2020-2026. He represented Rugby ATL (2020-2021), the Houston SaberCats (2022-2025), and the Seattle Seawolves (2026).

Redelinghuys began his senior rugby career with the Leopards XV in 2015, and the Leopards between 2015-2017. He represented Western Province in the Currie Cup between 2018-2019, and earned a Super Rugby appearance with the Lions in 2019. He signed with Rugby ATL in December 2019 ahead of the 2020 season, and earned 2 appearances (both starts) before the COVID-19 pandemic shut the MLR season down. In the league’s return in 2021, Redelinghuys appeared in 17 of ATL’s 18 games (15 starts) en route to the MLR Championship Final where they fell to the LA Giltinis 31-17 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

On 10th March 2022, a handful of weeks into the 2022 MLR season, Rugby ATL traded Redelinghuys and a 3rd Rd Draft Pick in 2022 (39th overall, used to select Brandon Karnes) to the Houston SaberCats in exchange for Houston’s 1st Rd Draft Pick in 2022 (used to select Matt Gelhaus) and a short term player loan of Kian Meadon (expired 10th April 2022). Since this trade, Redelinghuys has earned 24 MLR caps for the ‘Cats (21 starts) including 16 in 2023, where he gained over 400m with ball in hand and completed 136 successful tackles. On 12th December 2023, the Houston SaberCats announced the return of Marno Redelinghuys for the 2024 MLR season. Redelinghuys scored 1 try in 10 games (all starts) for the ‘Cats as they finished as the top team in MLR with a record of 14-2. He started the SaberCats’ only Playoff game of the 2024 season, recording 12 tackles as Houston were stunned by the Dallas Jackals in the Western Conference Semifinals.

On November 20th, 2024, the Houston SaberCats confirmed the return of Marno Redelinghuys for the 2025 season with the team, his 4th season in Houston and 6th in MLR. In 2025, Redelinghuys equalled career highs of 15 starts in 17 games as the ‘Cats secured their first ever postseason victories against Rugby FC LA and the Utah Warriors to advance to the 2025 MLR Championship as Western Conference Champions, where they fell to the New England Free Jacks at Centreville Bank Stadium in Rhode Island. Redelinghuys recorded just under 400m gained in possession and 165 tackles completed, and his efforts earned him a spot in the USA Eagles squad for their July 2025 tests. He made his test debut as Eagle #588 when he started against Belgium in a 36-17 victory on 5th July, 2025.

On 25th November 2025, the Seattle Seawolves announced that they had acquired Marno Redelinghuys for the 2026 Major League Rugby season following this surprise news that the Houston SaberCats were withdrawing from the competition in September 2025.

achievements:

  • 2025 MLR Runner-Up – Houston SaberCats
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 13
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 18
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 9
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Rd 15
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Rd 12
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Rd 10
  • 2021 MLR Runner-Up – Rugby ATL
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2021 – Rd 1

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