Rugby New York hosts Old Glory DC

Rugby New York hosts Old Glory DC on Sunday, April 3 at 3 pm ET at JFK Stadium in Hoboken, New Jersey. Tickets are available, and for those who can’t attend, the match will be streamed internationally on The Rugby Network and on delay on NBC Sports Washington (Delay).

Rugby New York is in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 5-2 record and 25 points, 1 point behind Rugby ATL, and 3 points behind the Free Jacks. Last week the team lost to the Toronto Arrows 14-10 with the Arrows scoring a try in the 78th minute. New York will look to rebound this week against Old Glory.

Old Glory DC sits in seventh place in the conference with 1 point. The team announced early in the week that their coach, Andrew Douglas, departed the team with immediate effect. The team has been among the league leaders in pathway development for the U.S. men and women, fielding Young Glory Under-23 teams and a Boys and Girls Academy.

The team is disappointed with their MLR winless record this season, which makes them a dangerous team, one that should not be taken lightly, as it is only a matter of time before they will reverse this trend.

Two Eastern Conference matches were played on Saturday, April 2, with Rugby ATL claiming a 20-14 road win over the Toronto Arrows. Rugby ATL’s record improved to 6-2 with 30 points for second place in the standings. Toronto’s record fell to 4-4 with 20 points and is in fourth place.

New England had a bonus-point 33-29 win over NOLA Gold and tops the Conference with a 7-1 record and 33 points. NOLA Gold’s record fell to 3-5 with 18 points, and are in fifth place.

Rugby New York

Rugby New York has a largely veteran team with some young U.S. and international players, as well. They are a team designed to play expansive rugby, yet have the forwards to play a physical game of rugby, as well.

Team strengths are in the set pieces, the breakdowns, the maul, defense, and as mentioned before, playing expansive rugby. Both Andrew Coe and Ed Fidow are among the try-scoring leaders with 4 apiece.

Last week, Chance Wenglewski was named to the MLR week 8 First XV team. He ran for 46 meters, made 16 tackles, and had 27 ruck arrivals.

Marty Veale has made seven changes in the starters swapping the front row with Nic Mayhew, Dylan Fawsitt, and Wilton Rebolo with Charlie Hewitt returning at lock, and Will Tucker shifting from lock to blindside flanker. Tighthead Kalolo Tuiloma is rested this week.

The halfback combination has also changed with Connor Buckley combining with Sam Windsor. Jason Emery also returns as the inside center.

With Rugby ATL and the New England Free jacks winning yesterday, Rugby New York can keep pace for the playoffs with a win. A bonus-point win of 17 point difference over Old Glory DC would be enough to move into second place in the Eastern Conference. In MLR that is a huge ask, but you never know!

Old Glory DC

Old Glory DC made a coaching change earlier in the week with head coach Andrew Douglas departing with immediate effect. The team named Nate Osborne interim head coach for the remainder of the season, beginning full-time on April 4.

Assistant Coaches Callum Gibbins and James Willocks have prepared the team for the match against Rugby New York and will be the co-coaches for the match with Nate Osborne in attendance.

Changes from last week’s loss to NOLA Gold include Uruguay international hooker, Facundo Gattas making his first MLR start after entering as a reserve last week, Cory Daniel at blindside flanker, while Tevita Naqali moves from blindside flanker to lock. Last year’s co-captain, Thretton Palamo, will make his season debut as a reserve.

Old Glory DC has contended in matches this season but needs to do that for 80 minutes. The team has played well against Rugby New York on the road, and hope that trend continues.

Team captain Danny Tuisitala was named to the MLR week 8 First XV and made seven ball carries, ran for 56 meters, and made 13 tackles.