Chicago Hounds

Background & History

The Chicago Hounds were announced as a Major League Rugby expansion side on November 17, 2022 and played in their inaugural MLR season in 2023, with SeatGeek Stadium hosting their home games. The team is co-owned by a small group of investors including majority owner Peter Bernick and part-owners Matt Satchwell and Phil Groves. Also among the ownership group are former Ireland internationals Dave & Rob Kearney, with Dave also representing the team during the 2024 season.

The inaugural Hounds roster was primarily created through an expansion/dispersal draft of players from Austin & LA after the two franchises ceased operations following their disqualification from the 2022 MLR season. Former Austin Head Coach Sam Harris moved to Chicago to take the reigns as Hounds HC, along with many of his AG players. Harris remained in charge of the Hounds from 2023 to the tail end of the 2024 season, when he was let go following a 4 game skid and a playoff spot on the line. Forwards Coach Rob Webber, former England international and Jersey Reds head coach, was promoted to interim head coach and went on a 3 game win streak to lock in the Hounds’ first ever Playoff appearance, where they defeated the higher seeded NOLA Gold, but fell to the New England Free Jacks in a close contest in Quincy, MA. Shortly after Webber‘s promotion to interim HC, English Premiership side Saracens announced that Webber would be joining them as Assistant Forwards Coach for their 2024/25 season, leaving the Chicago Hounds to find his replacement for the 2025 season. They did so on 11th September 2024, when they announced Wallabies legend Chris Latham as their head coach for 2025.


Records & Record Holders

All-Time

Top Scorer: Luke Carty (127pts)
Top Try Scorer: Julian Dominguez & Dylan Fawsitt (14)
Most Appearances: Maclean Jones (33)
Most Starts: Maclean Jones & Billy Meakes (30)
Top Tackler:
Maclean Jones (387)
Top Meter Eater: Billy Meakes (2,238m)

Single Season:

Top Scorer: Adriaan Carelse (77pts) – 2024
Top Try Scorer: Dylan Fawsitt (14) – 2024
Top Tackler: Maclean Jones (199) – 2024
Top Meter Eater: Billy Meakes (1,154m) – 2023

historical performance

2023: 3-0-13 (-170) – 20pts: 5th in Western Conference
2024: 8-1-7 (+67) – 45pts: 3rd in Eastern Conference (Conference Finalist)

All-Time Regular Season Record: 11-1-20
All-Time Playoff Record: 1-1
Championship Series Appearances: 1 (2024)

Head coach & captain

Head Coach:
Captain:

Logo & Jersey

The Chicago Hounds logo features a white Medieval-esque hounds head reminiscent of House Stark from Game of Thrones. This Hounds head sits within a green shield. This shield is in turn within two circles, the outer of which features ‘Chicago Hounds Rugby’ and 4 light blue stars, a nod to the flag of Chicago.

2023-2025

The Chicago Hounds have traditionally played in green and white. Typically green has featured as an accent colour, with some exceptions such as the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day kit which was dark green with a white collar. In 2023, their home jersey was primarily white with gray accents, and their away jersey a black version of the same jersey. For 2024, they switched their primary jersey for a white and green hooped jersey featuring a collar, which was used as a one-off in 2023 and went down extremely well then, as it did for the 2024 season.

 

venue

The Chicago Hounds have played their home games out of Seatgeek Stadium, the 20,000 seater home of the Chicago Fire of the MLS. Seatgeek Stadium was also used as the venue for the 2023 MLR Championship Final between the San Diego Legion and the New England Free Jacks.

Seatgeek Stadium

 

Results

19 - 33

2025 - RD 15: Anthem RC v Chicago Hounds

24 - 26

2025 - RD 14: Chicago Hounds v Rugby FC LA

27 - 17

2025 - RD 13: New England Free Jacks v Chicago Hounds

14 - 7

2025 - RD 12: Chicago Hounds v Miami Sharks

41 - 31

2025 - RD 11: Utah Warriors v Chicago Hounds

28 - 22

2025 - RD 10: Seattle Seawolves v Chicago Hounds

28 - 20

2025 - RD 9: Chicago Hounds v Anthem RC

20 - 27

2025 - RD 8: San Diego Legion v Chicago Hounds

18 - 20

2025 - RD 7: NOLA Gold v Chicago Hounds

30 - 26

2025 - RD 5: Chicago Hounds v Old Glory DC

18 - 31

2025 - RD 4: Miami Sharks v Chicago Hounds

36 - 7

2025 - RD 3: Chicago Hounds v New England Free Jacks

31 - 45

2025 - RD 2: Chicago Hounds v Utah Warriors

22 - 25

2025 - RD 1: Houston SaberCats v Chicago Hounds

23 - 17

2024 Eastern Conference Final - New England Free Jacks v Chicago Hounds

21 - 45

2024 Eastern Conference SF 2 - NOLA Gold v Chicago Hounds

38 - 26

2024 - RD 18: Chicago Hounds v Miami Sharks

29 - 38

2024 - RD 17: Anthem RC v Chicago Hounds

22 - 16

2024 - RD 16: Chicago Hounds v San Diego Legion

22 - 20

2024 - RD 15: Dallas Jackals v Chicago Hounds

13 - 25

2024 - RD 13: Chicago Hounds v NOLA Gold

23 - 22

2024 - RD 12: Houston SaberCats v Chicago Hounds

21 - 22

2024 - RD 11: Chicago Hounds v Old Glory DC

20 - 26

2024 - RD 10: New England Free Jacks v Chicago Hounds

54 - 31

2024 - RD 8: Chicago Hounds v Rugby FC LA

59 - 26

2024 - RD 7: Chicago Hounds v Anthem RC

21 - 38

2024 - RD 6: NOLA Gold v Chicago Hounds

26 - 34

2024 - RD 5: Chicago Hounds v Seattle Seawolves

17 - 22

2024 - RD 4: Chicago Hounds v New England Free Jacks

22 - 22

2024 - RD 3: Old Glory DC v Chicago Hounds

29 - 15

2024 - RD 2: Utah Warriors v Chicago Hounds

19 - 23

2024 - RD 1: Miami Sharks v Chicago Hounds

28 - 29

2023 - RD 18: Dallas Jackals v Chicago Hounds

24 - 26

2023 - RD 17: Utah Warriors v Chicago Hounds

14 - 36

2023 - RD 16: Chicago Hounds v San Diego Legion

40 - 33

2023 - RD 15: Houston SaberCats v Chicago Hounds

35 - 13

2023 - RD 14: Seattle Seawolves v Chicago Hounds

20 - 21

2023 - RD 13: Chicago Hounds v New York Ironworkers

27 - 12

2023 - RD 12: Rugby ATL v Chicago Hounds

24 - 37

2023 - RD 10: Chicago Hounds v NOLA Gold

48 - 24

2023 - Rd 9: San Diego Legion v Chicago Hounds

31 - 19

2023 - RD 8: New England Free Jacks v Chicago Hounds

21 - 38

2023 - RD 7: Chicago Hounds v Houston SaberCats

5 - 27

2023 - RD 6: Chicago Hounds v Seattle Seawolves

24 - 22

2023 - RD 5: Chicago Hounds v Dallas Jackals

26 - 27

2023 - RD 4: Chicago Hounds v Toronto Arrows

10 - 14

2023 - RD 3: Chicago Hounds v Utah Warriors

42 - 27

2023 - RD 1: Old Glory DC v Chicago Hounds

All-Time MLR Standings

PosTeamPWLDPFPAPDTBLBPts
111471421329427385566223371
211970472337829494296024368
38963260250318606434610308
41094660330583127-695732279
51105258027963026-2305218278
61085057127042934-2305323278
77546290200017862144113238
8863646422302545-3154617215
9702939217711884-1132716163
105630251140512651402710159
1161253511457142136249135
123425901036618418205125
13482126112121252-401811115
1431171228568015517392
153012162792890-9820577
1650941010171710-693191772
173013170662757-9510769
183003005811189-6088412

2025 Overall MLR Standings

PosTeamPWLDPFPAPDTBLBPts
114950420336849348
2149504504005010248
314950367294738246
414761425417812345
514950369324456244
6148604013851610244
714761388368209342
8147704083882010341
914770327368-416337
10144100394414-208731
11140140258513-255235

2024 MLR Standings

PosTeamPWLDPFPAPDTBLBPts
116142047834713111067
216115049837312511457
3161150421374477556
41611504633441198355
5161060410349618250
616871454387678445
716610048245032111043
816772394416-226442
9165110424471-477835
10166100335389-544432
11165101367473-1068232
12160160323676-353617

2023 Overall MLR Standings

PosTeamPWLDPFPAPDTBLBPts
116151055428526913174
216142055627328311168
31612405093481619259
41610604844137111253
5161060445421248250
6168804283874110143
716781408443-3511243
816790339435-966135
9165101355428-735128
10163130327497-1704420
11162140278458-1806519
12161132306601-2954416

Chicago Hounds – Active

PlayerPositionGPGSTCPACDGMGTacklesKS/KAPts
Adriaan CarelseFly-half, Fullback1050440025419820
Ben PollackFly-half, Fullback, Wing3300000115400
Brad TuckerLock210000011800
Bryce CampbellCenter13131000029712205
Charlie AbelProp10900000829400
Chris HilsenbeckFly-half119122900184553176
Conall BoomerFlanker, Number 89410000896905
Dylan FawsittFlanker, Hooker121280000115117040
Faka’osi PifeletiHooker, Prop121200000618100
George MerrickLock00000000000
Hamish BainLock111110010858807
Ignacio PeculoProp13300000407200
Jackson ZabierekHooker110000001614900
Jake KinneeveaukFlanker, Number 810000000200
James ScottLock1313100008615905
James StokesCenter, Fullback, Wing00000000000
Janus VenterHooker4200000192400
Jason HigginsScrum-half9210000372105
Kian MeadonFly-half, Fullback00000000000
Koby BakerProp20000000000
Liam FletcherProp8000000533800
Lucas RumballFlanker121220000262143010
Luke WhiteFlanker, Lock, Number 8, Prop142100002098205
Maclean JonesFlanker, Number 8131390010183175047
Mark O’KeeffeCenter, Wing96100001753805
Mason FleschLock111160020176119034
Matthew OworuFlanker, Number 89200000965600
Michael BaskaFullback, Scrum-half, Wing8200100813113
Michael HandWing5510000310605
Mitch ShortScrum-half1110100001345205
Nate AugspurgerScrum-half, Wing55100102681707
Noah BrownFullback, Wing131220010416105012
Noah FleschCenter10310000953605
Ollie DevotoCenter, Fly-half, Fullback121220000379111010
Patrick ‘Paddy’ RyanProp220000013600
Penalty Try445005000035
Peyton WallFullback, Wing43100003201605
Sam WalshFly-half10000008100
Tavius Sykora-MatthessLock310000071100
Tim SwielFly-half96040002282348
Will VakalahiHooker, Prop00000000000
Zurabi ZhvaniaHooker, Prop7210000244405

Chicago Hounds – All

PlayerPositionGPGSTCPACDGMGTacklesKS/KAPts
Adriaan CarelseFly-half, Fullback2821029130010141134297
Alexander HernandezProp00000000000
Alu TaitoProp00000000000
Ben LandryFlanker, Lock862001020749012
Ben PollackFly-half, Fullback, Wing3300000115400
Billy MeakesCenter3030200002238288010
Brad TuckerLock151000001226800
Bryce CampbellCenter4441300001733349015
Caleb StrumWing63100002422705
Cam DodsonLock76000002275800
Caolan DooleyFly-half4003000211236
Cassh MaluiaCenter, Wing72100001582505
Charlie AbelProp412630010612330017
Chris HilsenbeckFly-half119122900184553176
Chris MattinaCenter, Fullback1615196001090331541
Conall BoomerFlanker, Number 8201230000485135015
Dacoda WorthFlanker82000001562000
Dave KearneyFullback, Wing98000003532600
Duke KrishnanLock106100002347105
Dylan FawsittFlanker, Hooker30272200004772480110
Ethan ParkinsNumber 800000000000
Faka’osi PifeletiHooker, Prop121200000618100
Fred ApuluProp171000001705500
George MerrickLock1512000001949400
George ThorntonNumber 814102000029873010
Guillermo PujadasHooker8200000774100
Hamish BainLock111110010858807
Hugh RoachHooker653000013950015
Ignacio PeculoProp2791000017513505
JP EloffFly-half, Fullback156100004734505
Jackson ZabierekHooker110000001614900
Jake KinneeveaukFlanker, Number 810000000200
James ScottLock303050000350312025
James StokesCenter, Fullback, Wing00000000000
Janus VenterHooker1433000013269015
Jason HigginsScrum-half2275000014147025
Jonah DietenbergerLock10000000300
Josh McAdamCenter00000000000
Juan PenProp00000000000
Julián DomínguezWing2724150000156494075
Justice NkombuaFlanker, Lock6100000501300
Kevin MorganFullback, Wing200000057100
Kian MeadonFly-half, Fullback110010032213
Koby BakerProp20000000000
LaRome WhiteProp146100002324705
Liam FletcherProp8000000533800
Lindsey StevensNumber 8127100002138505
Lucas RumballFlanker241720000459253010
Luke BeauchampFlanker77000001478800
Luke CartyFly-half2723128220068010450127
Luke WhiteFlanker, Lock, Number 8, Prop4124500001447293025
Maclean JonesFlanker, Number 84643160020850562084
Mark O’KeeffeCenter, Wing3426600001607141030
Mason FleschLock272690020725255049
Mason KochHooker84300006421015
Matai LeutaWing762000028427010
Matthew OworuFlanker, Number 89200000965600
Michael BaskaFullback, Scrum-half, Wing30121010036413018
Michael HandWing5510000310605
Michael de WaalFlanker1591001019311607
Mika FelixProp510000091800
Mike MatarazzoFlanker, Lock15121000021211205
Mitch ShortScrum-half1110100001345205
Nate AugspurgerScrum-half, Wing20209002092587049
Nick McCarthyScrum-half1613000002433800
Nick TaylorFullback10000004100
Nicolás Revol PittProp5400000792900
Noah BrownFullback, Wing261960010937153032
Noah FleschCenter10310000953605
Ollie DevotoCenter, Fly-half, Fullback121220000379111010
Patrick ‘Paddy’ RyanProp282120000322134010
Penalty Try99110011000077
Peyton WallFullback, Wing43100003201605
Sam FaoagaliHooker00000000000
Sam PeriLock600000034200
Sam WalshFly-half10000008100
Sean YacoubianScrum-half7310000552605
Sidney ShoopScrum-half8500000126100
Steveni LombardHooker00000000000
Tavius Sykora-MatthessLock310000071100
Tim SwielFly-half96040002282348
Timmy OhlweinProp2000000171300
Tinashe MuchenaFlanker, Number 873000002325200
Will VakalahiHooker, Prop00000000000
Willis GoodwinFullback, Wing10000008100
Zurabi ZhvaniaHooker, Prop1263000011069015