Historical Record: 36-40-1 (5.5 Seasons)
Week 1 Result: 18-6 win over Old Glory DC

Skinny: NOLA in a big year as they look to not only make the playoffs, but host a match in July. They have the glitz and glamour to get there, but after white knuckle defensive performance against OGDC down in the Gold Mine, it just might be DEFENSE that sees them through to the knockouts. Can Rodney Iona assert himself as one of the league's best 10's? There's a notable bye-week for the Gold during the epic New Orleans' Jazz Fest. Will the players have a well deserved night on the town ... or is it all business til' a top playoff seed is delivered? Big year in store for the Gold.

NOLA Gold #NawlThatGlittersIsGold

Historical Record: 20-31-2 (3.5 Seasons)

Week 1 Result: 18-6 loss to NOLA Gold

Skinny: Moving on from Segra Field is a definite win. While the new pitch is still a ways out there, it boasts a beautiful grass surface with an accurately sized bowl for 5k fans. It's their 3rd venue since inception and they've finally checked off all three parts of the DMV. The match up in Quincy Massachusetts Saturday suddenly has more juice as the Flags will look to punch back at the team that knocked them off in last year's Eastern Conference Final. Does having a 4th coach in 4 years matter...? Not if the core of the team is in tact. With the wrecking crew of loosies expect OGMD to be back in the playoffs come July.

Old Glory DC #OGMD

Historical Record: 2-30 (2 Seasons)

Week 1 Result: 32-29 win over Rugby FC Los Angeles

Skinny: So Dallas hasn't been great so far ... no better time than now for a change. Sam Golla may be the best draft pick since the inception of the collegiate draft. The #JackalAllTrades already earned his way onto the Eagles and is now a Jackal Co-Capt. too. A week 1 win is huge for confidence, but can they beat the snake bitted SD Legion Sunday to make it two in a row? Now that Marc Cuban has sold his majority stake in the Mavericks, will be seeing a celebrity appearance at Choctaw stadium in 2024? That's what you do when you retire right ...? Just go to rugby games and mingle with the people! If I'm being honest, I'd rather see a Jerry Jones appearance. Wouldn't it be crazy if the Jackals win a title before Jerry's Cowboys end their Super Bowl drought? I think actually that just might put Jerry Jones in his grave.

Dallas Jackals #JackalAllTrades

Historical Record: 29-48 (5.5 Seasons)

Week 1 Result: 22-15 win over Utah

Skinny: After a tough couple years of predominantly losing, it seems like Houston has turned a corner (or a roundabout?) ... Coach Pote Human ain't taking no guff from opposing teams, and has delivered the squad to playoffs in back to back years.... only to be ousted by Seattle. But this years team as added some serious weaponry in the form of Jeremy "Missile" Misailegalu and AJ Alatimu. A Week 1 win was accompanied by a sold out SaberCats Stadium. Can the attendance numbers stay high as the temperature and relative humidity also climbs in the spring and summer? Don't come to close to the mascot or he might just give you #CatScratchFever

Houston SaberCats #CatScratchFever

Historical Record: 0-0

Week 1 Result: 32-29 loss vs. Dallas

Skinny: Atlanta packs up and moves to the sunny hills of Los Angeles. Coach Steve Brett brings with him the core of the players that won a fair share of games as the RATLers. But just like the phoenix who rose from the ashes, Rugby FCLA arises with vibrant colors! The royal blue and tinge of yellow hits just right. Will this team be an immediate threat in the West? Remains to be seen ... Week 1 showed they can score points, but the last team to win an MLR Shield in Los Angeles also played stout defense. And the logo ... ? Well that looks like a Blue Acorn to me. And we all know that Blue Acorns soon become #BlueOaks

Rugby FCLA #BlueOaks

Historical Record: 43-33-1

Week 1 Result: 25-19 win against San Diego

Skinny: The Orcas in the Pacific Northwest have been known to be some of the most intelligent hunters in the ocean. The rugby team also knows how to hunt down playoff appearances and has posted a 7-2 playoff record over their history. They have only missed the playoffs once in 2021, but coach Alan Clarke has them trending up and ready to feed on any aquatic mammals (or fish) that cross their path. Sam Windsor clocks in for his 7th MLR season, can father time win another title like he did in 2021 with New York? The #HuntForNumber3 continues Saturday night when the Miami Sharks come to town.

Seattle Seawolves #TheHuntForNumber3

Historical Record: 32-42-3

Week 1 Result: 22-15 loss to Houston

Skinny: The Utah Warriors have always been an MLR staple. There's no prettier backdrop than the snow kissed mountains just west of Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Utah. The Warriors will be missing legend Lance Williams as he pursues Olympic dreams with the Eagle 7's, but they won't lack veteran leadership. Paul Lasike and Angus McClellan return, and the grandstands in Utah will be begging for a home playoff game come July. Have you Unleashed Your Inner Warrior?

Utah Warriors #UnleashYourInnerWarrior

After winning 14 straight, the defending champs lost at the death in their home opener against rival Old Glory D.C. Jason Robertson was clutch down the stretch and drilled the game winning kick with no time on the clock. It was truly a game winning conversion (they were down 1, not tied), and it silenced a rowdy crowd in Quincy. Not only did Robertson's boot come up clutch, but he facilitated just about all of their tries (as a good fly-half does). 
This shakes up the "Power Structure" on the Eastern Front (see below). It's going to take more than 1 (1 point) loss to dethrone New England. They've been on a tear, and deserve the benefit of the doubt ... for now. After just 2 weeks (and not nearly enough rugby to make an informed decision), here's the current outlook.

1. NEFJ - one loss won't shake 14 straight wins.

2. NOLA - they've started hot before, but can they stay hot?

3. OGDC - after a week 1 dud, they delivered big on the road.

4. CHICAGO - ran out of oxygen up in Utah.

5. MIAMI - it wasn't "pretty in pink" up in Seattle.

6. ANTHEM - Still just a feel good story as of now.

Special thanks to Bozo6 from the Jack's Rangers who came on the to talk everything FreeJacks.

PICKEM!

FreeJacks Tripped and Fell (ft. Bozo6 of the Jacks Rangers)

Welcome to Rugby Wrap Up Raw; the global rugby podcast. No bells. No whistles. Raw.

Episode 2 Includes:
-URC Preview
-Dallas Out of MLR?
-Pacific Nations Cup Recap
-Women’s Internationals Recap
-#WPL Final WER Legacy Cup Results
-#Top14 Recap

With Zach Lanning and Matt McCarthy

Rugby Wrap Up Raw: Dallas Out of MLR? URC Preview, WXV, Top14 Recap

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - The change of the clocks and Autumn Internationals rugby marks a great time of the year... and signals that MLR 2025 will be here before we know it. But worry not, MLR Weekly will keep you informed and ready. This week, we hear from Utah Warriors Co-Founder/CEO Kimball Kjar and Army Head Coach Matt Sherman. Back in their recurring roles are John Fitzpatrick of Rugby Morning and Bryan Ray of Americas Rugby News. It's over in a 24-minute flash.

Watch... Listen/Download the Podcast version... 

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MLR Weekly: Kimball Kjar, Utah Warriors CEO, Army Head Coach Matt Sherman, News, Rumors

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