Author: Collin Smith

Welcome to the Major League Rugby Offseason

The 2022 MLR season is officially behind us. The rugby is officially not. A big focus of RFT is covering the MLR, but that is merely one way we execute on our grand mission of providing in depth American style analysis of rugby in the USA. As the calendar shifts to the second half of … Continue reading Welcome to the Major League Rugby Offseason →

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2 Things: MLR Conference Championships

Then There Were Two Saying New York and Seattle had different paths to the title match would be an understatement. New York is a team largely built around former stars and a few current Eagles. Seattle sports several Tier 2 internationals, but they lack the star power of other sides. Factor in that Seattle finished … Continue reading 2 Things: MLR Conference Championships →

Sympathy for Disqualified MLR Players is Premature

As the American rugby community reels continues to process Austin and LA's disqualification from the MLR Championship Series, sympathy has been poured onto the affected players. That particular sentiment is premature at best. Several respected sources have reported that Austin's disqualification stems from severe salary cap infringements. Reporting from The Guardian indicates that LA fell … Continue reading Sympathy for Disqualified MLR Players is Premature →

The Gilgronis Disqualification is Inherently Political

Hopes that the Gilgronis/Major League Rugby dispute will end quickly are naive at best. The more likely result is a power struggle that sees a prominent player exit the league. Austin's disqualification from the 2022 Championship Series as a result of alleged salary cap infringements was the end of the saga's first chapter, not the … Continue reading The Gilgronis Disqualification is Inherently Political →

Austin and Major League Rugby are Headed for War

Since the Austin Gilgronis were disqualified from playoff participation on Friday, details have been scant. The reason for the muddy waters is becoming clear. According to The Rugby Network’s Alexander Diegel: https://twitter.com/AlexanderDiegel/status/1532829067514462209 The speculation from the beginning has surrounded salary cap infringements. If the alleged infringements did occur, they would have to be severe to … Continue reading Austin and Major League Rugby are Headed for War →

Austin Disqualified from MLR Championship Series

The Austin Elite never made the playoffs. Neither did the Austin Herd. It appears the Gilgronis addition of the franchise will end with a similar fate. In a stunning twist, Austin has been disqualified from the 2022 MLR Championship Series. The league has neglected to provide any information past claiming a 'violation of league rules'. … Continue reading Austin Disqualified from MLR Championship Series →

State of the Race: MLR’s Western Conference – Round 17

https://twitter.com/usmlr/status/1531296121951137792 In The Playoffs 1. (xy)LA Giltinis Remaining Schedule: v. SEA 2. (xy)Austin Gilgronis Remaining Schedule: @ HOU 3. (x)Houston SaberCats Remaining Schedule: v. AUS Eliminated 4. San Diego Legion Remaining Schedule: BYE 5. Seattle Seawolves Remaining Schedule: @ LA 6. Utah Warriors Remaining Schedule: @ DAL 7. Dallas Jackals Remaining Schedule: v. UTAH Key … Continue reading State of the Race: MLR’s Western Conference – Round 17 →

State of the Race: MLR’s Eastern Conference – Round 17

https://twitter.com/usmlr/status/1531296817064816641 In The Playoffs 1. (xyz*)New England Free Jacks Remaining Schedule: v. NY 2. (x)Rugby ATL Remaining Schedule: v. NOLA 3.(x)Rugby New York Remaining Schedule: @ NE Eliminated 4. Toronto Arrows Remaining Schedule: v. DC 5. NOLA Gold Remaining Schedule: @ ATL 6. Old Glory DC Remaining Schedule: @ TOR Key x -> Clinched Playoff … Continue reading State of the Race: MLR’s Eastern Conference – Round 17 →

MLR Should Change Its Draft Order Allocation Method

Entering Round 17 of Major League Rugby's 2022 season, there are three clear groups of teams: Teams in Playoff PositionAustin, LA, and New England have clinched playoff spotsAtlanta, New York, and Houston have strong leads over the teams chasing themTeams Still Mathematically in Playoff ContentionSan Diego, Seattle, and Toronto all have slim chances of making … Continue reading MLR Should Change Its Draft Order Allocation Method →