The New England Free Jacks’ third straight Shield win last June feels like a distant memory. As the year wraps up, it’s a natural time to look back. The 2025 Major League Rugby season delivered plenty of highlights, but as the months passed, the focus shifted from celebrations to headlines. To say it’s been an “eventful 2025 offseason” is probably the understatement of the year!

MLR heads into 2026 with six fully committed franchises, each intent on raising the level of competition and building lasting stability. The upcoming season is set to mark a clear turning point, bringing a revamped schedule, new leadership, new initiatives, and even a new team. With so much shifting, fans are keeping a close eye on roster moves as franchises stay busy in the player signing market.

With that, MLR Monthly returns to highlight the biggest storylines of the past month or so and help close out 2025…

League Headlines & Off The Pitch

Eagles Finish Strong & World Cup Pools Set

Although not league news, MLR fans will have followed USA Eagles action in Europe throughout November. The Eagles went 1–2 on their Fall Tests, with an ugly opener against Scotland, a narrow loss to Georgia, and a confidence-boosting win in Romania. The performances offer reasons for optimism heading into the 2026 World Rugby Nations Cup next year before the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Earlier this month, the 2027 Rugby World Cup pool draw took place in Australia. The USA landed in Pool E with France, Japan, and Samoa; Canada join Pool C with Argentina, Fiji, and Spain. Match schedules and venues will be released on February 3.

New Leadership at League Headquarters

MLR announced former New England Free Jacks co-founder and USA Eagle Alex Magleby and former MLR Chief Operations Officer Graeme Bradbury as its new Co-Presidents. They succeed outgoing Chief Executive Officer Nic Benson, who now serves as a senior advisor. Magleby will lead Strategy & Communications, while Bradbury will oversee Operations & Competition.

Franchises have also made leadership changes: Chicago Hounds promoted former USA Eagle Will Magie to General Manager; Free Jacks legend Josh Larson retired to join their coaching staff; Old Glory DC’s Welsh favorite Steff Hughes also hung up his boots to transition into an assistant coach; and Seattle Seawolves added NBA star Paolo Banchero to their ownership group.

New Schedule & Sunday Night Rugby

The 2026 schedule, presented by CTMS Travel Group, was announced recently. Keeping things simple: six teams, home-and-away fixtures, and two weeks of playoffs, with the season running from March 28 to June 21. Games will air on ESPN+, with select broadcasts on ESPN2.

A new broadcast feature, Sunday Night Rugby, was also recently announced and will debut in Week 3 when the Chicago Hounds face California Legion on ESPN2. I’m honored to serve as host for the show, which will offer expanded pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage. More details will be revealed in the new year.

Kriels Create Joy Through Happy Bundles

One of the offseason’s most uplifting stories came from Seattle Seawolves’ Dan Kriel and his wife Candice. In a special short documentary released last month, MLR highlighted their charity, Happy Bundles, founded after Candice’s stage-three breast cancer diagnosis in 2020. The organization sends gift bundles to children battling cancer across the US and worldwide. Their first public gala in September raised an incredible $180,000.

Around the Teams & Big Signings

Momsen & Carty Crucial To Anthem’s Future

Anthem RC have been busy fortifying their roster as they chase their first MLR win. They’ve added several USA internationals, including Moni Tonga’uiha (back row), Payton Telea-Ilalio (prop), Tom Pittman (center/fly-half), former USA 7s star Malacchi Esdale (wing), and rising American talented hooker Seth Smith (hooker). Two especially key signings are USA Eagles fly-half Luke Carty and former Houston captain Johan Momsen, both poised to address Anthem’s past issues in game management and set-piece control.

Legion Announce Californian Locations

MLR’s newest franchise, California Legion, officially announced where in California they'll be playing home games next season. Starting in Orange County, the Legion will head to San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento. Full details on venues are set to be released soon. Roster news has been quiet, but expectations are building, especially with Legion set to feature in five Sunday Night Rugby broadcasts next year.

Hounds Building a Powerhouse Pack

Chicago may have been the league’s busiest franchise over the last couple of months, from major signing announcements to helping host Ireland vs. the All Blacks at Soldier Field in November. They kicked things off with a statement addition in USA Eagles center Tavite Lopeti, followed by Eagles scrum-half Ruben de Haas, 2025 Championship MVP Brock Webster (fullback), Chilean standout Santiago Videla (versatile back), and lineout specialist Nathan Den Hoet (second row).

Just as important, Chicago have retained a core group of key contributors: Luke White (back row), Lucas Rumbell (backrow), Mason Flesch (back row/second row), Mac Jones (back row), Charlie Abel (prop), Mark O’Keeffe (wing/center), Chris Hilsenbeck (fly-half), Peyton Wall (wing), and Noah Brown (wing). The Hounds already look like contenders, and the new year hasn’t even begun!

Free Jacks Add MLR Stars Fa'anana-Schultz & Hodgson

The defending champions have eased into their announcements but made impact moves. Fan favorites Ben Lesage (center) and Kyle Ciquera (prop) return, as does winger Mitch Wilson after a season away with Anthem RC in 2025.

Major additions and experience are included in the shape of MLR standout Jamason Fa'anana-Schultz (back row) and one of the league’s highest points scorers, fly-half Joel Hodgson, expected to replace departed playmaker star Jayson Potroz. Up front, Cyrille Cama (hooker) and Nate Sylvia (prop) bolster the pack. Stay tuned on further Free Jacks announcements as there are still some key members set to be added early next year.

New Home & Bright Talent Coming To DC

Old Glory DC announced George Mason University as their new home venue for 2026. They’ve retained key players such as USA Eagles’ Corey Daniel (back row), sharpshooter flyhalf Jason Robertson, and MLR veteran Jason Emry (center), while adding American talent in Max Schumacher (fullback), Ben Bonaso (back row), Paul Mullen (prop), Aiden King (back row), and Rick Rose (second row). Head coach Simon Cross has also been noticeably active in local coaching initiatives, further strengthening DC’s community ties.

Seattle Reloads Around Coetzer

The Seattle Seawolves remain perennial contenders in MLR, and their early roster moves before the closing of the year suggests a strong campaign is on the horizon. They have re-signed core key players such as JP Smith (scrum-half) and Dan Kriel (center) whilst making one of the biggest offseason splashes by acquiring soon-to-be American-eligible fly-half Davy Coetzer; arguably an early candidate for signing of the offseason.

They’ve also added major size and power in USA Eagles forwards Paddy Ryan (back row) and Marno Redlinghuys (second row), plus 6'8" Tongan second row Harison Mataele. In the backline, Seawolves fans will be excited to welcome Scotland international Mark Bennett (center) to Starfire Stadium next season. Like many of the MLR teams, keep an eye on more player announcements over the next month.

Farewells Into the New Year

While excitement builds for 2026, the league also bids farewell to several veterans. USA legends Cam Dolan (back row) and Bryce Campbell (center) announced their retirements shortly after the 2025 season, and this month one of America’s very best, Nate Augspurger (wing), also made the decision to hang up his boots. Though others have stepped away as well, Dolan, Campbell, and Augspurger deserve special recognition for rising through the American rugby pathway and helping grow the sport nationwide. Their contributions shaped both the Eagles and MLR.

Thanks to all who’ve helped advance the game, through the highs and lows. Here’s to an exciting 2026 season ahead.