New England Free Jacks Kyle Ciquera

The New England Free Jacks re-signed Kyle Ciquera for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The 24-year-old prop (25 in June) is 6’0″ and 260 lbs.

Kyle, nicknamed “TheEagle”, played 94 minutes in 5 matches (10 on the matchday roster) during the 2021 season. He then played with Mystic River during the Fall American Rugby Premiership season.

Kyle played 20 minutes in the first three matches of the 2020 MLR season as a reserve at tighthead prop and then two matches at loosehead. He also played for the New England Independents and Mystic River.

Kyle is from Putnam, Connecticut, and attended Bishop Hendricken High School until 2015. He played football and hockey and began playing rugby in 9th grade.

Kyle went to St Bonaventure University from 2015-2019 and majored in Finance, Business Administration, and Management. He was a three-time 1st team D1A Rugby East All-Conference and a three-time Collegiate All-American.

Kyle was selected to play with the Free Jacks against the Connacht Eagles during the 2019 exhibition season. He played for the New England Selects in the 2020 Free Jacks exhibition season, as well as for the Free jacks. He also played for Mystic River in the American Rugby Premiership in 2019. He also played with Sumner RFC in New Zealand.

New England Free Jacks Comments

“I’m very excited to be returning,” exclaims Ciquera. “Excited to see what we can do this season and to see the best fans in the competition sell out Veterans Memorial!” A character who takes great pride in not only where he comes from but the city he represents on the field as well, Ciquera is an incredible asset to have on the team.

Ciquera brings a wealth of charisma, work ethic, and determination to the Free Jacks. Having earned 9 caps in the 2021 season, “The Eagle” looks to build off of his improvements year after year and take his performance to the next level.

“We are very happy to have Kyle return for his fourth year with the side,” Free Jacks Performance Director, Tom Kindley, mentions. “He has grown a lot as a man and a player throughout his time with the Free Jacks and has become a household name across the MLR and fan-favorite among New England supporters along the way. He’s a top-notch bloke who just gets on with it and really loves what this team is about.”

“I know Kyle is ready to be taken seriously and really stamp his mark on this team and competition. Assistant Coach Mike Rogers will be a fantastic resource for Kyle at the set-piece and we hope to support him in taking his game to another level this year.”