The San Diego Legion will host Rugby United New York on Sunday, January 27 at Torero Stadium in San Diego. Kickoff is at 2 pm PT and tickets are still available. The match is being broadcast on ESPN+, Fox 5 San Diego, and on SNY. A RUNY Watch Party will be held at the Pig ‘n’ Whistle on 202 W. 36th St. in N.Y.
San Diego Legion
The San Diego Legion have improved their forwards with the additions of Dean Muir and Paddy Ryan, who played Super Rugby at hooker and tighthead prop, respectively. Rounding out the front row is Nathan Sylvia. The Locks include former Eagle Lou Stanfill, who is paired by Belmont Shore’s Keni Nasaqeqe. Chirs Turori, Devin Short and vice-captain Drew Gaffney are in the back row.
The halfbacks include Eagle Nick Boyer at scrumhalf and Super Rugby flyhalf and captain, Joe Pitersen. Eagle Dylan Ausdleyis paired with South African JP DuPlessis in the centers, while Fijian 7s star Jasa Veremalua and fellow Fijian Save Totovasau are the wings. At fullback is USA Selects, Trinity College, and the University of Oxford, Conor Kearns.
The reserves include brothers Kapeli and Faka’osi Pifeleti, who play hooker and prop, respectively. Both played for the Saracens Storm and Kapeli for the USA Selects. Aaron Mitchell, a former football player, and Sione Tuihalmaka round out the front row reserves. Alec Barton, a former Collegiate All-American is a back row reserve.
Backs reserves include Tai Enosa, who plays scrumhalf or flyhalf, and new additions who played fullback, Kyle Rogers, former captain of the University of Arizona and Marcus Tupuola, who played at Notre Dame College.
Rugby United New York
Rugby United New York has a strong set of forwards with Dylan Fawsitt, Paddy Ryan, Nate Brakeley, Kyle Sumsion, and John Quill having played for the Eagles. Rounding out the forwards are an Irish prop and No. 8, James Rochford and Ross Deacon, respectively, and Old Blue lock Trevor Cassidy.
The backs include three-time Rugby World Cup Eagles scrumhalf Mike Petri, who pairs with PRO14 flyhalf, Cathal Marsh, who played with Leinster. The centers include Will Leonard from Ireland and England international Ben Foden. Rounding out the backs are Connor Wallace-Sims of Old Blue, Chris Mattina, who played for the Eagles 7s team and NYAC, and Luke Hume, another Eagle who plays for Old Blue.
Squads With Player Article Links
San Diego Legion: 1 Nathan Sylvia 2 Deon Muir 3 Paddy Ryan 4 Lou Stanfill 5 Keni Nasoqeqe 6 Chris Turori 7 Devin Short 8 Drew Gaffney 9 Nick Boyer10 Joe Pietersen11 Jasa Veremalua 12 Dylan Audsley 13 JP du Plessis 14 Save Totovosau15 Conor Kearns16 Kapeli Pifeleti 17 Faka’osi Pifeleti 18 Aaron Mitchell19 Sione Tu’ihalamaka 20 Alec Barton 21 Tai Enosa 22 Kyle Rogers 23 Marcus Tupuola
Rugby United New York: 1 James Rochford 2 Dylan Fawsitt 3 Paddy Ryan 4 Nate Brakeley 5 Trevor Cassidy 6 Kyle Sumsion 7 John Quill 8 Ross Deacon 9 Mike Petri 10 Cathal Marsh 11 Connor Wallace-Sims 12 Will Leonard 13 Ben Foden 14 Chris Mattina 15 Luke Hume 16 Mike Brown 17 Anthony Parry18 Kirkland Hamilton19 Alex MacDonald 20 Matt Hughston 21 Marcus Walsh 22 Seimou Smith 23 Derek Lipscomb
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