The Ironworkers travel down to Atlanta to take on Rugby ATL at Silverpacks Park.

The reigning champions needed just a single point to officially clinch a playoff spot, but would have been eager to grab the full 5 to give themselves the best chance of home field advantage for the Eastern Eliminator in a couple of weeks. New York led almost immediately, as Brooklyn Hardaker dotted down within 30 seconds of kick off, but had to wait until Jason Emery scored in the 50th minute for the bonus point try, thus securing a playoff spot for the 4th time in a row (not counting 2020). Rugby New York are the only team in MLR to have qualified for every single post-season since entering the league (again, not counting 2020 as the season was cancelled).

Rugby ATL are officially eliminated from the 2023 post-season. They are the only team from the 2022 playoffs not to qualify in the 2023 season, with Old Glory DC taking their place.

The Dallas Jackals travel to Georgia to face Rugby ATL at Silverbacks Park in what was the very first meeting between the two sides

Emerging as 19-27 victors, this game marks the 2nd win in club histroy for the Dallas Jackals and the first win in the road! As this was the first meeting between Dallas and Rugby ATL, it also marks the very first time that Dallas has a winning record over an opponent, now leading 1-0 over ATL.

For Rugby ATL, this seriously damaged their hopes for a playoff berth in 2023, as they sat 5th in the East following this loss.

The 2023 Major League Rugby season kicked off with the Toronto Arrows visiting the newly rebranded Rugby ATL to contest the Fire & Ice Cup!

Rugby ATL have never relinquished the trophy and this game was no different. Both teams shaking off offseason rust, but ATL taking their opportunities better against a pretty solid Toronto defence. The Arrows attack was lack ing for the majority of this game, but they did manage to salvage a losing BP from this game, scoring all 10 of their points within the last 5 minutes.

Rugby ATL hosted the Eastern Eliminator at SIlverbacks Park, facing Rugby New York for a spot in the Eastern Conference Final against the New England Free Jacks.

Rugby ATL flanker Connor Cook was handed a yellow card in just the 2nd minute, for a deliberate knock-on following an early break by Waisake Naholo. This put the Ratlers on the back foot almost immediately, and they soon conceded a penalty that was converted by Jason Emery. The first half saw no tries, with Kurt Coleman and Jason Emery having a kick-off, with the visitors taking a 6-9 lead into the sheds.

Rugby New York brought on 2 USA Eagles at half-time in the form of Nate Brakeley and Nick Civetta that immediately bore fruit. A rolling maul from an attacking lineout was brought down illegally by ATL and while they escaped without a yellow card, the ref awarded NY with a penalty tryto take the score to 6-16. The hosts seemed to stabilise following this, and started applying the pressure. Nick Civetta was handed a yellow card for NY repeat infringement but still the Ratlers couldn’t find pay dirt, and settled for the 3pts which was followed up by another penalty a few minutes later to take the score to 12-16 heading into the final 10 minutes.

The guests struck back with their patented driving maul from an attacking lineout, finished by Dylan Fawsitt and convered by Emery to take the score to 12-23 with just over 5 minutes remaining. The deadly accurate Emery added another penlty kick with a minute to go, before Coleman scored and converted a consolation try to make the final score 19-26 to the guests.

The 2021 Runners-up finish their season here, while Rugby New York moves on to face the Free Jacks in the Eastern Conference Final, held at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium.

 

The NOLA Gold travel to Georgia to face Rugby ATL at Silverbacks Park.

Despite already securing a playoff spot and the #1 spot in the Eastern Conference already secured by the New England Free Jacks, Rugby ATL still had something to play for in the form of securing home field advantage for the Eliminator Round.

The Ratlers were made to work for their 45-19 win as they trailed 14-19 at the break thanks to 3 NOLA tries. Unfortunately for the Gold, ATL came out for the second half with a vengeance, scoring 31 unanswered points to pull away and ultimately secure a bonus point victory.