Rugby United New York 2019 Major League Rugby Roster

Dylan Fawsitt, a 28-year-old U.S. national team hooker from Wexford, Ireland, has signed with Rugby United New York for the 2019 Major League Rugby season. Fawsitt has had an extensive rugby career that began age 7 for the Greystones RFC in Ireland. He played there from 1997 through 2012, being on the first side the last three years. He went to Blackrock College from 2004-2009 and in the final year, the rugby team won the Leinster Schools Senior Cup.

Fawsitt then earned his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Sports Science and Health from St. Mary’s College at the Institute of Technology, Tallaght where he attended from 2009-2013. While at St.Mary’s he played rugby for two years in the All-Ireland Division 1 League.

Upon graduation, Fawsitt moved to the United States and attended Life University in 2014 through 2016, earning a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. While there he was an Assistant Coach of the Senior Men’s Elite, as well as the Undergraduate Men’s and Women’s Rugby teams. He was responsible for designing defensive structures and attack policies along with set pieces. While in Georgia he also coached with the Atlanta Harlequins of the Women’s Premier League.

In 2016 he was part of the inaugural professional League in the U.S. playing for the Ohio Aviators. After the season ended he played for Old Blue of New York, playing back row and hooker, and has maintained his club ties there.

While in New York, he continued to be involved as a rugby coach where he has been an Assistant Coach of the Monroe College Men’s and Women’s Rugby teams since 2016, as well as being the head coach at Fordham Preparatory School beginning in Feb. 2017.

In 2018 he had the opportunity to play professional rugby in the U.S. again. He was captain of Rugby United New York for their three-match exhibition season. The team went undefeated winning 36-19 against the Ontario Arrows on March 17, 50-0 on March 24 against Boston Mystic River, and again on April 6, winning 42-24. Their final match against the Ontario Arrows was canceled due to ice in Toronto.

Rugby United New York was an Associate MLR member and after the conclusion of the exhibition season, lent players to other MLR teams. Fawsitt moved to Colorado for the remainder of the MLR season, playing for the Glendale Raptors.

Fawsitt and the USA Rugby National Team

Dylan Fawsitt became eligible for selection to the USA National team in 2017. The team sent him to Georgia for possible inclusion in November 2017 test but was not included in the final selection. He then made his debut as Eagle 523 against Chile in Fullerton, California on February 17, 2018, in the Americas Rugby Championship. He also played against Uruguay, scoring his first try as an Eagle, and the team ended winning the ARC 2018 Championship.

Fawsitt is 6’0″ and weighs 235 pounds. He now has 5 caps, the last earned against Canada June 23rd in Nova Scotia. That was significant as the USA secured the Americas 1 spot for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Other

Dylan Fawsitt is married and his wife Alyssa has been supportive of his rugby journey. He is known as the ‘Butcher’ and has been competitive in sports growing up, whether it was hurling, Gaelic football, soccer, table tennis, or rugby.

DJCoil Rugby Interview Dylan Fawsitt March 17, 2018

Rugby United New York Release

NEW YORK (September 19, 2018)- Rugby United New York has signed US national team Hooker Dylan Fawsitt for the 2019 Major League Rugby Season. After making 3 appearances for RUNY in the 2018 exhibition season, the Wexford, Ireland man was sent to the Glendale Raptors for the inaugural season of MLR. The 28-year-old decided to leave the Raptors and re-sign with the Manhattan-based organization for the upcoming season, kicking off in January.

“Dylan brings real character to our Rugby United NY roster,” Director of Rugby James English told us. “He is as honest and hardworking as they come, the type of guy you will follow into battle. It’s a big year for the Eagles, and I know he has a real point to prove in the MLR.”

Fawsitt started playing rugby for Greystones RFC (Ireland) at the age of 7. He went on to attend Blackrock College, and then for St. Mary’s, in the All Ireland Division 1 League. Fawsitt came to Atlanta to attend Life University, one of the premier men’s clubs in the United States. This allowed him to continue to play at a high level while simultaneously earning his Master’s Degree in Exercise Science. Since 2016, Fawsitt has been with Old Blue RFC, based out of New York.

Fawsitt became eligible to play for the Eagles in late 2017. “The Butcher,” as his teammates call him, made his national team debut in February of 2018 against Chile, in America’s Rugby Championship. The hooker has made 5 total appearances for the national team, including the historic win over Scotland this past June, scoring one try over that time.

Both Head Coach Mike Tolkin and Forwards Coach Kees Lensing understand the impact of this signing and look forward to adding Fawsitt’s experience to the organization.

“I am very pleased to have the Butcher on board with us,” Tolkin said. “His signing brings a significant impact player and leader back to RUNY. His motivation, competitiveness, and hard work have been second to none over the years. His experience with the Eagles is a reflection of that effort.”

“Dylan is a great signing for the organization,” Lensing echoed. “His competitive spirit and drive to be the best will inspire our team to great heights.”

“It is an exciting time,” Fawsitt told us, looking forward to wearing the Orange and Blue again. “We are going to turn a few heads this year with our attractive brand of rugby. We want to be successful in representing the Northeast.”

Welcome back to the Big Apple, Butcher.