NOLA Gold Rugby Club’s Matt Harmon returns for the third year of his contract which is through the 2023 Major League Rugby season. The 27-year-old prop is 5’11” and 250 lbs.
Matt played 532 minutes in 11 matches, starting 8, for NOLA Gold in 2022.
Matt played 678 minutes in 14 matches, starting 10 for NOLA Gold in 2021. Matt made his USA National Team debut against England at Twickenham on July 4, 2021, and the last of his 5 tests was against New Zealand All Blacks at FedEx Field on October 9.
Matt is a Lake Forest High School in Illinois graduate. He played rugby for the Lake Forest Harriers and helped the team win two consecutive Illinois State Championships in 2012 and 2013.
After graduating he studied at the University of Kansas and captained the rugby team in 2015. He then transferred to Life University in 2016 and played with the team through 2018 and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science.
While at Life University, the team won the D1A National Championship with a 60-5 win over Cal. Matt was named to the First team Collegiate All-Americans and played for the All-Americans in August against the Glendale Raptors, winning 55-10. During the Fall 2018 season, Matt played for Life in the American Rugby Premiership.
Matt was a standout for NOLA Gold during 2019 playing hooker, as well as loosehead and tighthead prop. His versatility in the front row was invaluable for the team. In 2020, he became the starter at loosehead prop and was selected for All-MLR player of the week honors in that position.
Matt also became the forwards’ coach of the Crescent City Blues for the team’s quest for the 2019-2020 Markel Cup.
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