Major League Rugby's all time win standings underwent a rearrangement last weekend. For the current basement dwellers, the door out is up some steep stairs. When Chicago, playing its fourth game in franchise history, hosted Dallas, playing its twenty-first game, a win for the home side was big. But where can the Jackals find their … Continue reading Where Can Dallas Find a Result?
Author: Collin Smith
SaberCats, Warriors Could Lose Local Broadcasting Partnerships
It's early in the MLR season, but two sides could be facing the end of their local broadcasting arrangements. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Warner Bros. Discovery intends to exit the Regional Sports Network (RSN) business. The business, which operates under the AT&T SportsNet banner, is facing a cash crunch and its parent … Continue reading SaberCats, Warriors Could Lose Local Broadcasting Partnerships
Dallas Jackals Should have Their Field Back in Late April
The Dallas Jackals must be feeling like college freshmen: they have a new roommate they didn't pick, and their new friend has made a mess of the place. The Arlington Renegades of the newly launched (for a third time) XFL have taken co-residency at Choctaw Stadium. Viewers lamented the prominent gridiron markings with rugby lines … Continue reading Dallas Jackals Should have Their Field Back in Late April
MLR is Back. RFT is Still Here.
After almost seven months, Major League Rugby returns tonight. If things feel a bit different, its understandable. Since the end of last season, both LA and Austin were announced as out for 2023 after sales of the franchises couldn't be completed in time to guarantee they'd be viable for 2023. Chicago was expedited into the … Continue reading MLR is Back. RFT is Still Here.
Six Story-lines for the Six Nations
Rugby's oldest champion kicks off February 4th with Ireland traveling to Wales. While the annual competition always has intrigue, the 2023 edition might truly be the most riveting since the expansion from the Five Nations format. We'll breakdown the key story-lines for each side in reverse order of their 2022 table finish. Italy Despite finishing … Continue reading Six Story-lines for the Six Nations
A 13 Team MLR Need Not Return
The countdown to MLR season 6 is now less than a month. The hype for season 7 has already begun. Reports of a Miami based expansion side continue to trickle out. Following the recent contraction of Austin and LA and the subsequent addition of Chicago, adding one side for 2024 would return to league to … Continue reading A 13 Team MLR Need Not Return
Improving the Rugby World Cup Draw
With the countdown to Rugby World Cup 2023 shifting from years to months, it should be time for the draw of fixtures. Instead, we're stuck looking at some strange groupings. A quick refresh: the men's Rugby World Cup features 20 teams divided into 4 pools of 5 teams. Those teams qualify via the following paths: … Continue reading Improving the Rugby World Cup Draw
Chicago Stadium Looks to be Set Sooner than Later
MLR’s newest ‘contraction team’ is getting closer to taking the field, and we’re getting closer to knowing where the field will be. The Chicago team (which we continue to believe will be called the Chicago Bison) have yet to announce… anything. However, the league clearly has faith that a stadium solution is on the way. … Continue reading Chicago Stadium Looks to be Set Sooner than Later
Major League Rugby will be Watching Elections in Illinois
Its Election Day in the United States. If you haven't voted, why are you reading this? (Exception: if you're reading this while in a line to vote, feel free to continue.) One particular race should be on the minds of folks in the league office. Illinois voters have been asked to vote up or down … Continue reading Major League Rugby will be Watching Elections in Illinois
USA Eagles Knocked from RWC 2021
From the beginning of 2018 to the end of the pool phase of Rugby World Cup 2021, the USA Eagles women had met their Canadian counterparts six times. Their seventh meeting went the same way as the first six. On a wet day in New Zealand, Canada asserted their dominance over their southern neighbors once … Continue reading USA Eagles Knocked from RWC 2021