Utah Warriors & Houston SaberCats
The Utah Warriors conclude their Major League Rugby regular season against the Houston SaberCats at 2 pm MT (4 pm ET) on June 23. The match is at Zions Bank Stadium and will be broadcast locally on AT&T Sports Network, nationally on ESPN+, and internationally on the Major League Rugby Facebook page.
The Warriors need to win, draw, or lose by two or fewer points to gain the playoffs next Saturday, otherwise, Austin Elite Rugby will secure a playoff spot. With a win and a San Diego Legion loss, the Warriors would be the third place team, while a Legion win against the Glendale Raptors, secures third place.
Utah Warriors
Head coach Alf Daniels has made two changes Inn his starters with Maka Tameilau at loosehead prop and Lance Williams at flanker.
The Utah Warriors control their destiny to make Thebes playoffs. The match is expected to be close and the team that makes the fewest mistakes will win.
Houston SaberCats
Head Coach Justin Fitzpatrick team returns from a bye week. Several changes have been made in the starters. Jamie Dever has been missed during the regular season due to visa issues. He was very effective as a starter in the preseason and slots in at loosehead prop. Lindsey Stevens returns at hooker with Lindenwood’s Gabe Romero the reserve instead of Diego Maquieira. Both Connor Murphy and Conor Mills return to their usual positions at scrumhalf and inside center, respectively. Alex Elkins also will start at wing with Josua Vici also not on the 23-man roster.
The SaberCats will play for pride and hope to play spoiler as the Warriors seek the playoffs. It has been a frustrating regular season for the SaberCats with the team contending, but falling short in many matches. The team is a good one and should be a contender next season.
Utah Warriors & Houston SaberCats Squads
Utah Warriors: 1 Maka Tameilau, 2 Lote Tu’ipulotu, 3 Angus MacLellan, 4 John Cullen, 5 Saia Uhila (C), 6 Lance Williams, 7 Ara Elkington, 8 David Tameilau, 9 Joseph Nicholls, 10 Jonny Linehan, 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 12 AJ Tu’ineau, 13 Iniki Fa’amausili, 14 Tonata Lauti, 15 Don Pati 16 Ray Forrester, 17 Alex Tucci, 18 Les Soloai, 19 Kenny Scott, 20 Tino Mafi, 21 Josh Anderson, 22 Vernon Ale, 23 Ben Nicholls + Head Coach Alf Daniels
Houston SaberCats: 1 Jamie Dever, 2 Lindsey Stevens, 3 Adam Macklin, 4 Charlie Hewitt, 5 Matt Trouville, 6 Chris Coyle, 7 Cecil Garber, 8 Kyle Sumsion (C), 9 Connor Murphy, 10 Sam Windsor, 11 Malacchi Esdale, 12 Conor Mills, 13 Osea Kolinisau, 14 Alex Elkins, 15 Zach Pangelinan16 Gabe Romero, 17 Petey Hepburn, 18 Jack Riley, 19 Robert Meeson, 20 Chris Parker, 21 Chris Slater, 22 Joey Iosefa, 23 Dan Paul
Utah Warriors Pre-season
- March 30 vs Glendale Raptors (L 42-15) Preview
- April 7 vs. Ontario Arrows (L 24-20) Preview + match recap vs. Glendale
- April 20 vs Prairie Wolf Pack (W 80-12) Preview
Utah Warriors 2018 Major League Rugby Season
- April 29 at San Diego Legion (L 31-24) Preview Cox/AT&T SportsNet, ESPN+
- May 5 vs Glendale Raptors (L 36-29) Preview AT&T SportsNet, ESPN+
- May 11 vs Austin Elite Rugby (W 42-21) Preview CBSSN, ESPN+
- May 20 at Seattle Seawolves (L 41-32) Preview ROOT SPORTS, ESPN+
- May 26 at Houston SaberCats (W 36-30) Preview AT&T SportsNet, ESPN+
- June 1 at Austin Elite Rugby (L 41-33) Preview AT&T SportsNet, ESPN+
- June 16 vs New Orleans Gold (L 46-43) Preview CBSSN
- June 23 vs Houston SaberCats Preview 1 pm Network: AT&T SportsNet, ESPN+
Houston SaberCats Pre-Season Record (12-2-2)
- April 7 vs San Diego Legion (33-17) Preview
- March 24 at New Orleans Gold (D 32-32) Preview
- March 3 vs Ontario Arrows (D 28-28) Preview
- Feb 24 vs New Orleans Gold (W 30-12) Preview
- Feb 17 vs NYAC (W 39-38) Preview
- Feb 10 vs Chicago Lions (W 61-10) Preview
- Feb 3 vs Capital Selects (W 49-03) Preview
- Jan 27 vs James Bay Athletic Association (W 42-13) Preview
- Jan 20 vs Uruguay (L 24-32) Preview
- Jan 13 vs Vancouver Ravens (L 23-26) Preview
- Jan 6 vs Seattle Saracens (W 50-07)
- Dec. 16 vs Dallas Reds (W 21-05)
- Dec. 9 at Austin Blacks (W 55-21)
- Dec. 2 at Dallas Quins (W 125-00)
- Nov. 18 vs Dallas Reds at U. Houston (W 31-24)
- Nov 11 vs Austin Blacks (W 46-31)
Houston SaberCats 2018 Major League Rugby Schedule
- April 21 vs New Orleans Gold (L 35-26) Preview
- April 28 vs Austin Elite (W 50-38) Preview AT&T
- May 4 at San Diego Legion (L 35-32) Preview CBSSN (GAME OF THE WEEK)
- May 19 at New Orleans Gold (L 24-20) Preview CBSSN (GAME OF THE WEEK)
- May 26 vs. Utah Warriors (L 36-30) Preview AT&T
- June 2 vs. Seattle Seawolves (L20-7) Preview CBSSN (GAME OF THE WEEK)
- June 8 at Glendale Raptors (L 37-24) Preview AT&T SportsNet
- June 23 at Utah Warriors 2 pm CDT Network: AT&T
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