MLR came to the Big Apple and it seemed to fit right in: rough, raucous and at the end, to home fans, a genuine nailbiting thrillOut on the turf at MCU Park, by the mock dirt of the baseball diamond and the covered pitcher’s mound, James Kennedy puffed out his cheeks and smiled. Then he offered a very Major League Rugby take on the home debut of his New York rugby union team. Related: Why European fans should give raw-as-hell Major League Rugby a go | Martin Pengelly I was in the stands to watch. The atmosphere, the buzz, it was great. I know because I’m a fan, you know?Quill barrels into the in-goal area at match-close for the win...
A win without Perry Baker and Danny Barrett will alarm the super powers: the Americans are starting to find some depthIn Las Vegas on Sunday, the USA men’s Eagles beat Samoa 27-0 to win a second USA Sevens title in a row. It was their first gold medal on this season’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series but they took all four silvers before it and they are now clear at the top of the world rankings, five points up on New Zealand, the World Cup winners the Eagles beat in the semi-final. Related: 'Growing as men': Mike Friday on how USA rugby went top of world sevens We’ve identified and picked up and nurtured two or three players each year...
As the Six Nations enters its rest weekend, it’s worth watching MLR online to see a league which is beginning from rugby’s glorious basicsRecently, Major League Rugby commissioner Dean Howes called rugby union “a great stadium sport”. Related: Major League Rugby: New York and Toronto expand reach in season two Related: HR McMaster on rugby: 'The warrior ethos is what a good team has' Related: 'It's in my blood': how rugby managed to unite America's elite Continue reading...
The Eagles look well set for an automatic Olympic place. Rugby’s sleeping giant is most definitely stirringThe USA men’s sevens team has found a way to win – or at least to lead – while losing. Related: Twickenham considers NFL-style plan for elite to split into two regions Related: Pools of intrigue: how the Rugby World Cup groups stack up | Paul Rees Continue reading...
Now that the autumn internationals have been completed we take a look at the prospects for the opening stage in JapanIreland, Scotland, Japan, Russia, Samoa Related: Jacob Stockdale scores only try as Ireland earn historic win over All Blacks Related: England denied by All Blacks and late decision in Twickenham thriller Related: England overwhelm careless Australia with Kyle Sinckler power game Related: Liam Williams leads Wales to South Africa win and first clean sweep Continue reading...