Old Glory DC signed Jake Ilnicki to Old Glory DC for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The 29-year-old prop (30 in February) is 5’11” and 260lbs.
In the 2021 Major League Rugby season with the Seattle Seawolves, Jake played 488 minutes in 12 of 16 matches (4 starts), reached 80 meters on 28 ball carries, made 49 successful tackles, and arrived at 131 offensive rucks.
Jake played 144 minutes in four matches, starting twice, during the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season.
He played 156 minutes in five matches in 2019, carrying 3 times for 19 meters making 30 tackles, and “played a huge role in key penalty and mauling tries.”
Jake is from Williams Lake, British Columbia, and played rugby for the University of Victoria after attending Williams Lake Secondary. He played age-grade rugby with the Canada U20s after playing with the Williams Lake Rustlers. He captained the side that faced the US in 2012.
Jake made his senior men’s test debut for Canada in 2013 against Georgia and has 42 caps (29 starts). In addition to playing in three matches at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, he also appeared in one match for Canada in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. His last test was against Portugal at Lisbon on November 6, 2021.
Jake moved to Australia in 2014 and played for Eastern Suburbs and the New South Wales Country Eagles. In 2016 he played for the San Diego Breakers and at the conclusion of the season returned to the Southern Hemisphere to join the Manawatu Turbos of New Zealand. Then it was onto the United Kingdom to play with the Northampton Saints of Premiership Rugby. In 2017, he moved to the Newcastle Falcons and in the 2018-2019 season, he played with Yorkshire Carnegie of the RFU Championship.
Old Glory DC Comments
“I’m really happy about making the move to Washington DC,” said Jake Ilnicki on joining DC for the 2022 season. “It’s another big season for the MLR with fresh opportunities. The Old Glory fans are wild and enthusiastic, and I can’t wait to play in front of them wearing an OG jersey this time. Excited? You bet. I’m ready to get stuck in with the group and get grinding. This club is going places.”
“Jake is a great addition to Old Glory,” Said Head Coach Andrew Douglas. “He’s an experienced international tighthead prop who will bring depth to OG. His strong work ethic, intelligence, and ability to relate to all players will be great ingredients to the team. He’s renowned as a great team man, and that’s exactly what Old Glory needs.”
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