2020 Major League Rugby season

Last updated

2020 Major League Rugby season
Major League Rugby wordmark.svg
Countries United States (11 teams)
Canada (1 team)
DateFebruary 8 – March 8 (canceled)
ChampionsNot awarded
Matches played30
Tries scored188
(average 6.3 per match)
Official website
majorleague.rugby
←  2019
2021  →

The 2020 Major League Rugby season was the third season of Major League Rugby, the professional rugby union competition sanctioned by USA Rugby. The regular season schedule was released on September 23, 2019, and the regular season itself began on February 8, 2020.

Contents

Three teams made their debut in 2020: the New England Free Jacks, Old Glory DC, and Rugby ATL. The Seattle Seawolves were the defending champions, having won their second consecutive title in the previous year.

On March 12, 2020, MLR announced the season would go on hiatus immediately for 30 days due to increasing local social distancing restrictions amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. [1] One week later, MLR announced that the season was officially cancelled. [2]

Teams and format

With the addition of three teams for the 2020 season, Major League Rugby moved to a two-conference format. For the regular season, each team was to play against the other teams in their conference twice each and against every team in the opposite conference once each for a total of 16 games.

The playoffs expanded from four teams in 2019 to six teams in 2020, with the top three teams from each conference qualifying. The second- and third-placed team from each conference were to play each other in the conference semifinals, with the winner moving on to play the first-placed team in the conference finals. The winners of the conference finals would have the played against each other in the final for the championship.

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DC
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Locations of teams in Major League Rugby
          Red pog.svg Western Conference          Blue pog.svg Eastern Conference
ConferenceClubMetro areaStadiumCapacityCoachCaptain
Western Conference Austin Gilgronis Austin, Texas Bold Stadium 5,000 Flag of New Zealand.svg Brent Semmons Flag of the United States.svg Zinzan Elan-Puttick
Colorado Raptors Denver, Colorado Infinity Park   [lower-alpha 1] 5,000 Flag of New Zealand.svg Peter Borlase Flag of Australia (converted).svg Luke White
Houston SaberCats Houston, Texas Aveva Stadium 4,000 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Paul Healy Flag of Australia (converted).svg De Wet Roos
San Diego Legion San Diego, California Torero Stadium 6,000 Flag of England.svg Rob Hoadley Flag of the United States.svg Nate Augspurger
Seattle Seawolves Seattle, Washington Starfire Stadium   [lower-alpha 2] 4,500 Flag of Namibia.svg Kees Lensing Flag of the United States.svg Riekert Hattingh
Utah Warriors Salt Lake City, Utah Zions Bank Stadium 5,000 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Chris Latham Flag of Samoa.svg Dwayne Polataivao
Eastern Conference New England Free Jacks Boston, Massachusetts Union Point Sports Complex  2,000 Flag of the United States.svg Josh Smith Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Josh Larsen
New Orleans Gold New Orleans, Louisiana Gold Mine 10,000 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nate Osborne Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Kyle Baillie
Old Glory DC Washington, D.C. Cardinal Stadium 3,500 Flag of New Zealand.svg Andrew Douglas Flag of the United States.svg Thretton Palamo
Rugby United New York New York, New York Maimonides Park 7,000 Flag of Ireland.svg Greg McWilliams Flag of the United States.svg Dylan Fawsitt
Rugby ATL Atlanta, Georgia Lupo Family Field   [lower-alpha 3] 2,500 Flag of the United States.svg Scott Lawrence Flag of South Africa.svg Ryan Nell
Toronto Arrows Toronto, Ontario Alumni Field
Lamport Stadium 		2,500
9,600		 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Chris Silverthorn Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dan Moor

Regular season

Standings

Season Standings
Western Conference
PosTeamPWDLPFPAPDTFTATBLBPts
1 San Diego Legion 5500161108+5321133023
2 Utah Warriors 5212125134-915182012
3 Colorado Raptors 520398130-321116019
4 Seattle Seawolves 5104138162-241522228
5 Austin Gilgronis 5113104155-511319107
6 Houston SaberCats 510499116-171112026
Eastern Conference
PosTeamPWDLPFPAPDTFTATBLBPts
1 Toronto Arrows 540115189+6216102119
2 Old Glory DC 5401122129-713151017
3 New Orleans Gold 5302135102+3319133116
4 Rugby United New York 5302136131+518172115
5 Rugby ATL 5203116119+614122212
6 New England Free Jacks 5104139158-192220419
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order
  1. number of matches won
  2. the difference between points for and points against
  3. the number of tries scored
  4. the most points scored
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against
  6. the fewest red cards received
  7. the fewest yellow cards received

Green background indicates teams in position for the Conference Finals
Blue background indicates teams in position for the Conference Semi-Finals
(CH) Champions. (RU) Runners-up. (SF) Losing semi-finalists.
Last Updated: March 7, 2020

Matches

The following are the matches for the 2020 Major League Rugby regular season:

Home \ Away AUS COL HOU NEFJ NOLA OGDC RATL RUNY SAN SEA TOR UTA
Austin Gilgronis May 17 Apr 26 19–28 Mar 28 Mar 14 Apr 4 10–38 20–20
Colorado Raptors Mar 21 Apr 18 20–27 May 2 May 30 May 23 22–19 22–14
Houston SaberCats 20–24 21–12 13–22 May 23 23–31 May 16 May 2 Apr 11
New England Free Jacks May 9 Apr 4 Mar 14 Apr 25 Apr 18 May 30 34–14 May 16
New Orleans Gold May 23 May 9 31–22 46–13 10–22 Apr 18 21–25 Mar 28
Old Glory DC Mar 15 May 24 Apr 11 31–29 Mar 29 28–22 Apr 26 May 3
Rugby ATL Mar 22 Apr 5 May 17 19–22 Apr 26 May 10 18–28 28–19
Rugby United NY 49–31 Apr 25 May 1 May 30 May 9 Apr 10 Mar 14 Mar 22
San Diego Legion May 3 49–22 Apr 5 30–21 Mar 22 24–20 33–24 May 25
Seattle Seawolves May 31 Mar 29 Mar 21 44–29 May 17 Apr 12 17–39 31–33
Toronto Arrows 27–22 Apr 12 May 3 May 31 Apr 19 May 22 May 10 Apr 4
Utah Warriors Apr 18 May 9 May 30 39–33 Mar 14 May 16 Mar 28 Apr 25

Updated to match(es) played on March 8, 2020
Colors: Blue: home team win; Yellow: draw; Red: away team win.

Scheduled completed

Week 1 (Feb 8–9)

Feb 8 Houston SaberCats 21–12 Colorado Raptors Aveva Stadium  
11:00 CST Try: Sam Windsor 19'
Adriaan Booysen 40'
Malacchi Esdale 64'
Con: Sam Windsor (0/3)
Pen: Sam Windsor (2/2) 7', 78'		 report Try: John Ryberg 29'
Con: Tomas Quinlan (0/1)
Pen: Tomas Quinlan (0/1)
Cards: Brendan Daly Yellow card.svg 39'		Referee: Scott Green (USAR)
Feb 8 NOLA Gold 46–13 Old Glory DC Gold Mine  
15:00 CST Try: Cam Dolan 12', 53', 73'
Malcolm May 22'
Moni Tonga'uiha 34', 41'
Julián Domínguez 57'
Con: Carl Meyer (4/7) 13', 23', 42', 54'
Pen: Carl Meyer (1/1) 40'
Cards: Malcolm May Yellow card.svg 25'
Lindsay Stevens Yellow card.svg 60'
Nikola BursicYellow card.svg 75'		 report Try: Doug Fraser 30'
Mike Dabulas 79'
Con: Jason Robertson (0/2)
Pen: Jason Robertson (1/1) 26'
Cards: Gordon Fullerton Yellow card.svg 22'		Referee: Luke Rogan (USAR)
Feb 9 Rugby ATL 28–19 Utah Warriors Life University Running Eagles Stadium  
15:00 EST Try: Matt Heaton 31'
Ross Deacon 56'
Marno Redelinghuys 63'
Duncan Van Schalkwyk 67'
Con: Duncan Van Schalkwyk (0/2)
Kurt Coleman (1/2) 64'
Pen: Duncan Van Schalkwyk (1/1) 14'
Kurt Coleman (1/1) 80'		 report Try: Blake Hohaia 21'
Con: Hagen Schulte (1/1) 22'
Pen: Hagen Schulte (4/4) 3', 11', 16', 46'
Cards: Saia Uhila Yellow card.svg 55'		Referee: Derek Summers (USAR)
Feb 9 New England Free Jacks 34–14 Rugby United New York Sam Boyd Stadium, Whitney, Nevada  
13:00 PST Try: Mitch Wilson 6'
Brad Hemopo 11'
Beaudein Waaka 25', 55'
Liam Steel 65'
Con: Tadhg Leader (2/3) 12', 26'
Beaudein Waaka (1/2) 66'
Pen: Tadhg Leader (1/1) 16'
Cards: Josh Larsen Yellow card.svg 21'		 report Try: Kyle Sumsion 23', 75'
Con: Cathal Marsh 24', 76'
Cards: Ben Foden Yellow card.svg 52'		Referee: Chris Assmus (RC)
Feb 9 San Diego Legion 33–24 Seattle Seawolves Torero Stadium  
14:00 PST Try: Dean Muir 17', 38'
JP du Plessis 22'
Save Totovosau 42'
Jasa Veremalua 53'
Con: Luke Burton (4/5) 23', 39', 43', 54'
Cards: Peter Malcolm Yellow card.svg 66'		 report Try: Riekert Hattingh 13'
Vili Tolutaʻu 58'
George Barton 66'
Con: Brock Staller (1/1) 14'
Scott Dean (2/2) 59', 67'
Pen: Brock Staller (1/2) 6'
Cards: Vili Tolutaʻu Yellow card.svg 74'		Referee: Jamie Nutbrown (NZR)
Feb 9 Austin Gilgronis 10–38 Toronto Arrows Circuit of the Americas  
19:00 CST Try: Chris Schade 59'
Con: Marcelo Torrealba (1/1) 60'
Pen: Marcelo Torrealba (1/1) 9'
Cards: Lino Saunitoga Yellow card.svg 17'
Potu Leavasa Yellow card.svg 79'		 report Try: Manuel Diana 1'
Penalty Try 14'
Dan Moor 27'
Jamie Mackenzie 49'
Peter Milazzo 78'
Con: Sam Malcolm (3/3) 2', 28', 50'
Tayler Adams 79'
Pen: Sam Malcolm (1/2) 25'		Referee: Lex Weiner (USAR)

Week 2 (Feb 15–16)

Feb 15 Utah Warriors 39–33 New England Free Jacks Sam Boyd Stadium, Whitney, Nevada  
11:30 PST Try: Fetuʻu Vainikolo 29'
Dwayne Polataivao 53'
Hagen Schulte 61'
Saia Uhila 69'
Michael Baska 76'
Con: Hagen Schulte (4/5) 30', 62', 70', 77'
Pen: Hagen Schulte (2/2) 10', 26'		 Report Try: Deion Mikesell 15', 46'
Josh Larsen 36'
Poasa Waqanibau 42'
Mitch Wilson 79'
Con: Timothée Guillimin (4/5) 37', 43', 47', 80'
Cards: Brad Hemopo Yellow card.svg 49'
Poasa Waqanibau Yellow card.svg 59'		Referee: Scott Green (USAR)
Feb 15 Rugby United New York 49–31 Austin Gilgronis Sam Boyd Stadium, Whitney, Nevada  
15:30 PST Try: Mathieu Bastareaud 4'
Cathal Marsh 17'
Troy Lockyear 33', 48'
Dylan Fawsitt 39'
Julio Giraldo 60'
Kyle Sumsion 77'
Con: Cathal Marsh (5/5) 5', 18', 34', 40', 49'
Harry Bennett (2/2) 61', 78'
Cards: Anthony Parry Yellow card.svg 62'		 Report Try: Dominic Akina 24'
Mason Pedersen 56'
Zinzan Elan-Puttick 63'
Gabriel Farley 65'
Con: Marcelo Torrealba (4/4) 25', 57', 64', 66'
Pen: Marcelo Torrealba (1/1) 27'
Cards: Sione Fangaiuiha Yellow card.svg 32'
Maikeli Mudu Yellow card.svg 38'		Referee: Luke Rogan (USAR)
Feb 16 Toronto Arrows 27–22 Houston SaberCats Sam Boyd Stadium, Whitney, Nevada  
11:30 PST Try: Giuseppe du Toit 12'
Manuel Diana 15'
Dan Moor 33'
Con: Sam Malcolm (3/3) 13', 15'. 34'
Pen: Sam Malcolm (1/1) 3'
Tayler Adams (1/1) 66'
Cards: Tomás de la Vega Yellow card.svg 75'
Mike Sheppard Red card.svg 80'		 Report Try: De Wet Roos 17', 77'
Diego Fortuny 46'
Con: Sam Windsor (2/3) 47', 78'
Pen: Sam Windsor (1/1) 55'
Cards: Tiaan Loots Yellow card.svg 28'		Referee: Jamie Nutbrown (NZR)
Feb 16 Old Glory DC 28–22 Seattle Seawolves Cardinal Stadium  
15:00 EST Try: Jason Robertson 3', 77'
Doug Fraser 28'
Renata Roberts-Tenana 59'
Con: Jason Robertson (1/4) 60'
Pen: Jason Robertson (2/2) 8', 52'		 Report Try: Riekert Hattingh 44'
Con: Brock Staller (1/1) 45'
Pen: Brock Staller (5/5) 11', 15', 39', 43', 55'
Cards: Nakai Penny Yellow card.svg 51'		Attendance: 2,850 [4]
Referee: Lex Weiner (USAR)
Feb 16 NOLA Gold 10–22 Rugby ATL Gold Mine  
17:00 CST Try: Lindsay Stevens 18'
Con: Carl Meyer (1/1) 19'
Pen: Carl Meyer (1/1) 57'
Cards: Kevin O'Connor Yellow card.svg 3'
Tim Maupin Yellow card.svg 49'		 Report Try: Jeremy Misailegalu 28'
Rory van Vugt 79'
Con: Kurt Coleman (0/2)
Pen: Kurt Coleman (4/5) 49', 53', 66', 74'		Referee: Henrique Platais (CBRu)
Feb 16 San Diego Legion 49–22 Colorado Raptors Sam Boyd Stadium, Whitney, Nevada  
15:00 PST Try: Penalty try 14'
Dylan Audsley 20'
Ma'a Nonu 29'
Dean Muir 35'
Nate Augspurger 67'
JP du Plessis 70'
Con: Luke Burton (4/5) 21', 30', 36', 68'
Pen: Luke Burton (3/3) 4', 59', 62'
Cards: JP du Plessis Yellow card.svg 77'		 Report Try: Mason Emerson 7'
Nick Boyer 40'
Mika Kruse 49'
Con: Tomas Quinlan (2/3) 40', 50'
Pen: Tomas Quinlan (1/1) 19'
Cards: Kelepi Fifita Yellow card.svg 11'		Referee: Derek Summers (USAR)

Week 3 (Feb 22–23)

Feb 22 Colorado Raptors 20–27 NOLA Gold Infinity Park  
16:00 MST Try: Nick Boyer 16'
John Ryberg 68'
Con: Tomas Quinlan (2/2) 17', 69'
Pen: Tomas Quinlan (2/2) 28', 33'		 Report Try: Eric Howard 4'
Julián Domínguez 8'
Carl Meyer 44', 62'
Con: Carl Meyer (2/4) 5', 9'
Pen: Carl Meyer (1/1) 59'
Cards: Holden Yungert Yellow card.svg 64'		Referee: Lex Weiner (USAR)
Feb 22 Austin Gilgronis 20–20 Utah Warriors Circuit of the Americas  
19:00 CST Try: Tiaan Erasmus 44'
Frank Halai 51'
Con: Marcelo Torrealba (2/2) 45', 52'
Pen: Marcelo Torrealba (2/2) 7', 65'
Cards: Jamie Mackintosh Yellow card.svg 15'		 Report Try: Dwayne Polataivao 20'
Kalolo Tuiloma 80'
Con: Hagen Schulte (2/2) 21', 80'
Pen: Hagen Schulte (2/2) 40', 60'		Referee: Mike O'Brien (USAR)
Feb 22 Houston SaberCats 13–22 Old Glory DC Aveva Stadium  
19:00 CST Try: Tiaan Loots 11'
Con: Sam Windsor (1/1) 12'
Pen: Sam Windsor (2/2) 26', 30'
Cards: Diego Magno Yellow card.svg 78'		 Report Try: Mungo Mason 22'
Con: Jason Robertson (1/1) 23'
Pen: Jason Robertson (5/5) 9', 15', 43', 71', 79'
Cards: Renata Roberts-Tenana Yellow card.svg 65'		Referee: Derek Summers (USAR)
Feb 22 Seattle Seawolves 17–39 Toronto Arrows Starfire Sports Complex  
19:00 PST Try: Mathew Turner 25'
Riekert Hattingh 78'
Con: Brock Staller (1/1) 26'
Scott Dean (1/1) 79'
Pen: Brock Staller (1/1) 43'		 Report Try: Dan Moor 33', 80'
Lucas Rumball 60'
Con: Sam Malcolm (3/3) 34', 60', 80'
Pen: Sam Malcolm (6/6) 4', 29', 50', 54', 57', 67'
Cards: Manuel Diana Yellow card.svg 22'		Referee: Scott Green (USAR)
Feb 23 Rugby ATL 19–22 Rugby United New York Life University Running Eagles Stadium  
15:00 EST Try: Duncan Van Schalkwyk 13', 80'
Johan Momson 52'
Con: Kurt Coleman (2/2) 14', 53'
Martini Talapusi (0/1)		 Report Try: Ben Foden 17'
James Denise 23'
Mark O'Keeffe 38'
Con: Cathal Marsh (2/3) 24', 39'
Pen: Harry Bennett (0/1)
Cathal Marsh (1/1) 74'
Cards: Paddy Ryan Yellow card.svg 52'		Referee: Jamie Nutbrown (NZR)
Feb 23 San Diego Legion 30–21 New England Free Jacks Torero Stadium  
16:00 PST Try: Save Totovosau 8'
Tira Patterson 17'
Dylan Audsley 35'
Devereaux Ferris 69'
Con: Luke Burton (2/4) 9', 70'
Pen: Luke Burton (2/2) 5', 75'		 Report Try: Poasa Waqanibau 30'
John Poland 44'
Zach Stryffeler 66'
Con: Timothée Guillimin (3/3) 31', 45', 67'
Pen: Timothée Guillimin (0/2)		Referee: Luke Rogan (USAR)

Week 4 (Feb 29 – Mar 1)

Feb 29 NOLA Gold 21–25 San Diego Legion Gold Mine  
15:00 CST Try: Moni Tonga’uiha 6'
Dino Waldren 28'
Robbie Coleman 40'
Con: Carl Meyer (2/2) 7', 29'
JP Eloff (1/1) 40'
Pen: JP Eloff (0/1)
Cards: Carl Meyer Yellow card.svg 32'		 Report Try: Ma'a Nonu 10', 60'
Keni Nasoqeqe 35'
Con: Luke Burton (1/2) 11'
Joe Pietersen (1/1) 61'
Pen: Luke Burton (0/1)
Joe Pietersen (2/2) 65', 79'
Cards: Joshua Furno Yellow card.svg 25'		Referee: Scott Green (USAR)
Feb 29 Austin Gilgronis 19–28 Old Glory DC Toyota Field  
15:00 CST Try: Penalty try 39'
Tiaan Erasmus 54'
Frank Halai 72'
Con: Marcelo Torrealba (1/2) 55'		 Report Try: Danny Tusitala 8'
Doug Fraser 24'
Renata Roberts-Tenana 78'
Con: Jason Robertson (2/3) 9', 25'
Pen: Jason Robertson (3/3) 4', 22', 40'
Cards: Will Vakalahi Yellow card.svg 37'		Referee: Moe Chaudhry (RC)
Feb 29 Colorado Raptors 22–14 Utah Warriors Infinity Park  
16:00 MST Try: Rene Ranger 29', 59'
Mason Emerson 77'
Con: Robbie Petzer (2/3) 60', 78'
Pen: Robbie Petzer (1/2) 13'		 Report Try: Huluholo Moungaloa 75'
Saia Uhila 80'
Con: Robbie Povey (2/2) 76', 80'
Pen: Robbie Povey (0/2)		Referee: Jamie Nutbrown (NZR)
Feb 29 Seattle Seawolves 44–29 New England Free Jacks Starfire Sports Complex  
22:00 EST Try: Peter Tiberio 21'
Juan-Philip Smith 35', 43'
Nakai Penny 38', 78'
Con: Ben Cima (5/5) 22', 36', 39', 44', 79'
Pen: Ben Cima (3/3) 53', 62', 72'		 Report Try: Donald Brighouse 5'
Danny Collins 16'
Josh Larsen 28'
John Poland 56'
Steven Hinshaw 68'
Con: Timothée Guillimin (2/5) 6', 17'
Pen: Timothée Guillimin (0/1)
Cards: Poasa Waqanibau Yellow card.svg 49'		Referee: Derek Summers (USAR)
Mar 1 Rugby ATL 18–28 Toronto Arrows Life University Running Eagles Stadium  
15:00 EST Try: Alex Maughan 39'
Neethling Gericke 70'
Con: Kurt Coleman (1/2) 71'
Pen: Kurt Coleman (2/2) 19', 32'
Cards: Neethling Gericke Yellow card.svg 76'		 Report Try: Leandro Leivas 14', 62'
Tomás de la Vega 56'
Gastón Mieres 80'
Con: Sam Malcolm (2/2) 15', 57'
Tayler Adams (2/2) 63', 80'
Pen: Tayler Adams (0/1)
Cards: Andrew Ferguson Yellow card.svg 69'		Referee: Luke Rogan (USAR)
Mar 1 Houston SaberCats 23–31 Rugby United New York AVEVA Stadium  
17:00 CST Try: Sam Windsor 57'
Taylor Howden 70'
Con: Sam Windsor (2/2) 58', 71'
Pen: Sam Windsor (3/3) 25', 42', 51'		 Report Try: Dylan Fawsitt 8'
Chris Mattina 18'
Paddy Ryan 29'
Marcus Walsh 79'
Con: Cathal Marsh (4/4) 9', 19', 30', 80'
Pen: Cathal Marsh (1/1) 45'		Referee: Henrique Platais (CBRu)

Week 5 (Mar 6–8)

Mar 6 Colorado Raptors 22–19 Toronto Arrows Infinity Park  
18:00 MST Try: John Ryberg 21'
Mika Kruse 41'
Con: Robbie Petzer (0/2)
Pen: Robbie Petzer (4/4) 5', 16', 40', 76'
Cards: Rene Ranger Yellow card.svg 37'
Marco Fepulea'i Yellow card.svg 65'		 Report Try: Gastón Mieres 25'
Con: Sam Malcolm (1/1) 26'
Pen: Sam Malcolm (4/4) 19', 32', 64', 66'
Cards: Andrew Quattrin Yellow card.svg 39'		Referee: Mike O’Brien (USAR)
Mar 7 NOLA Gold 31–22 New England Free Jacks Gold Mine  
15:00 CST Try: Dino Waldren 15'
Nikola Bursic 31'
Scott Gale 64'
Cam Dolan 67'
Con: Carl Meyer (4/4) 16', 32', 65', 68'
Pen: Carl Meyer (1/1) 52'		 Report Try: John Poland 23', 54'
Conor Kindregan 43'
Liam Steel 49'
Con: Tadhg Leader (1/3) 24'
Beaudein Waaka (0/1)
Pen: Tadhg Leader (0/1)		Referee: Jamie Nutbrown (NZR)
Mar 7 Houston SaberCats 20–24 Austin Gilgronis AVEVA Stadium  
19:00 CST Try: Penalty try 9'
Sam Windsor 14'
Con: Sam Windsor (1/1) 15'
Pen: Sam Windsor (2/2) 27', 52'
Cards: Diego Magno Yellow card.svg 29'		 Report Try: Tiaan Erasmus 32', 47'
Mason Pedersen 43'
Con: Kurt Morath (1/1) 33'
Rodrigo Silva (1/1) 44'
Will Magie (1/1) 48'
Pen: Will Magie (1/1) 55'
Cards: Rodrick Waters Yellow card.svg 7'		Referee: Scott Green (USAR)
Mar 7 Seattle Seawolves 31–33 Utah Warriors Starfire Sports Complex  
18:00 PST Try: Mike Shepherd 4'
Riekert Hattingh 24', 59'
Stephan Coetzee 46'
Con: Ben Cima (4/4) 4', 25', 47', 60'
Pen: Brock Staller (1/1) 79'
Cards: Stephan Coetzee Yellow card.svg 75'		 Report Try: Ratu Veremalua Vugakoto 12'
Tyler Fisher 43'
Kalolo Tuiloma 53'
Penalty try 76'
Calvin Whiting 80+8'
Con: Robbie Povey (3/4) 13', 44', 54'		Referee: Henrique Platais (CBRu)
Mar 8 Old Glory DC 31–29 Rugby ATL Cardinal Stadium  
18:00 EDT Try: Dylan Taikato-Simpson 35'
Declan O'Donnell 40'
Danny Tusitala 58'
Con: Jason Robertson (2/3) 40', 59'
Pen: Jason Robertson (4/6) 8', 13, 21', 69'
Cards: Danny Tusitala Yellow card.svg		 Report Try: Penalty try 4'
Harley Davidson 9'
Alex Maughan 48', 72'
Con: Kurt Coleman (2/3) 10', 49'
Pen: Kurt Coleman (1/1) 25'
Cards: Bill Fukofuka Yellow card.svg		Referee: Derek Summers (USAR)
Mar 8 San Diego Legion 24–20 Rugby United New York Torero Stadium  
16:00 PDT Try: Tira Patterson (2 tries) 14', 52'
Joshua Furno 55'
Con: Joe Pietersen (3/3) 15', 53', 56'
Pen: Joe Pietersen (1/2) 8'		 Report Try: Penalty try 22'
Will Leonard 60'
Con: Cathal Marsh (1/1) 61'
Pen: Cathal Marsh (2/2) 26', 35'
Cards: Paddy Ryan Yellow card.svg		Referee: Lex Weiner (USAR)

Cancelled schedule

Week 6 (Mar 14–15)

Mar 14 Rugby United New York v Seattle Seawolves MCU Park  
12:00 EST
Mar 14 New England Free Jacks v Houston SaberCats Union Point Sports Complex  
16:00 EST
Mar 14 Austin Gilgronis v San Diego Legion Circuit of the Americas  
18:00 EST
Mar 14 Utah Warriors v NOLA Gold Zions Bank Stadium  
21:00 EST
Mar 15 Old Glory DC v Colorado Raptors Cardinal Stadium  
15:00 EST
Bye/s: Rugby ATL, Toronto Arrows

Week 7 (Mar 21–22)

Mar 21 Colorado Raptors v Austin Gilgronis Infinity Park  
18:00 EST
Mar 21 Seattle Seawolves v Houston SaberCats Starfire Sports Complex  
21:00 EST
Mar 22 Rugby United New York v Toronto Arrows MCU Park  
12:00 EST
Mar 22 Rugby ATL v New England Free Jacks Life University Running Eagles Stadium  
15:00 EST
Mar 22 San Diego Legion v Old Glory DC Torero Stadium  
17:00 EST
Bye/s: NOLA Gold, Utah Warriors

Week 8 (Mar 28–29)

Mar 28 NOLA Gold v Toronto Arrows Gold Mine  
16:00 EST
Mar 28 Austin Gilgronis v Rugby ATL Circuit of the Americas  
18:00 EST
Mar 28 Utah Warriors v San Diego Legion Zions Bank Stadium  
21:00 EST
Mar 29 Old Glory DC v Rugby United New York Cardinal Stadium  
15:00 EST
Mar 29 Seattle Seawolves v Colorado Raptors Starfire Sports Complex  
20:00 EST
Bye/s: Houston SaberCats, New England Free Jacks

Week 9 (Apr 4–5)

Apr 4 Toronto Arrows v Utah Warriors Alumni Field  
14:00 EST
Apr 4 New England Free Jacks v Colorado Raptors Union Point Sports Complex  
16:00 EST
Apr 4 Austin Gilgronis v Seattle Seawolves Circuit of the Americas  
18:00 EST
Apr 5 Rugby ATL v NOLA Gold Life University Running Eagles Stadium  
15:00 EST
Apr 5 San Diego Legion v Houston SaberCats Torero Stadium  
17:00 EST
Bye/s: Old Glory DC, RUNY

Week 10 (Apr 10–12)

Apr 10 Rugby United New York v Rugby ATL MCU Park  
12:00 EST
Apr 11 Old Glory DC v NOLA Gold Cardinal Stadium  
15:00 EST
Apr 11 Houston SaberCats v Utah Warriors AVEVA Stadium  
20:00 EST
Apr 12 Toronto Arrows v New England Free Jacks Alumni Field  
14:00 EST
Apr 12 Seattle Seawolves v San Diego Legion Starfire Sports Complex  
20:00 EST
Bye/s: Austin Gilgronis, Colorado Raptors

Week 11 (Apr 18–19)

Apr 18 New England Free Jacks v Old Glory DC Union Point Sports Complex  
16:00 EST
Apr 18 Colorado Raptors v Houston SaberCats Infinity Park  
18:00 EST
Apr 18 NOLA Gold v Rugby United New York Gold Mine  
20:00 EST
Apr 18 Utah Warriors v Austin Gilgronis Zions Bank Stadium  
21:00 EST
Apr 19 Toronto Arrows v Rugby ATL Lamport Stadium  
14:00 EST
Bye/s: San Diego Legion, Seattle Seawolves

Week 12 (Apr 25–26)

Apr 25 Rugby United New York v Colorado Raptors MCU Park  
12:00 EST
Apr 25 New England Free Jacks v NOLA Gold Union Point Sports Complex  
16:00 EST
Apr 25 Utah Warriors v Seattle Seawolves Zions Bank Stadium  
21:00 EST
Apr 26 Rugby ATL v San Diego Legion Life University Running Eagles Stadium  
15:00 EST
Apr 26 Old Glory DC v Toronto Arrows Cardinal Stadium  
15:00 EST
Apr 26 Austin Gilgronis v Houston SaberCats Circuit of the Americas  
20:00 EST

Week 13 (May 1–3)

May 1 Rugby United New York v New England Free Jacks MCU Park  
12:00 EST
May 2 Colorado Raptors v Rugby ATL Infinity Park  
18:00 EST
May 2 Houston SaberCats v Seattle Seawolves AVEVA Stadium  
20:00 EST
May 3 Toronto Arrows v NOLA Gold Lamport Stadium  
14:00 EST
May 3 Old Glory DC v Utah Warriors Cardinal Stadium  
15:00 EST
May 3 San Diego Legion v Austin Gilgronis Torero Stadium  
17:00 EST

Week 14 (May 9–10)

May 9 Rugby United New York v Old Glory DC MCU Park  
12:00 EST
May 9 New England Free Jacks v Austin Gilgronis Union Point Sports Complex  
16:00 EST
May 9 NOLA Gold v Houston SaberCats Gold Mine  
20:00 EST
May 9 Utah Warriors v Colorado Raptors Zions Bank Stadium  
21:00 EST
May 10 Toronto Arrows v San Diego Legion Lamport Stadium  
14:00 EST
May 10 Rugby ATL v Seattle Seawolves Life University Running Eagles Stadium  
15:00 EST

Week 15 (May 16–17)

May 16 New England Free Jacks v Toronto Arrows Union Point Sports Complex  
16:00 EST
May 16 Houston SaberCats v San Diego Legion AVEVA Stadium  
20:00 EST
May 16 Utah Warriors v Rugby United New York Zions Bank Stadium  
21:00 EST
May 17 Rugby ATL v Old Glory DC Life University Running Eagles Stadium  
15:00 EST
May 17 Seattle Seawolves v NOLA Gold Starfire Sports Complex  
20:00 EST
May 17 Austin Gilgronis v Colorado Raptors Circuit of the Americas  
20:00 EST

Week 16 (May 22–25)

May 22 Toronto Arrows v Rugby United New York Lamport Stadium  
19:00 EST
May 23 Colorado Raptors v Seattle Seawolves Infinity Park  
18:00 EST
May 23 NOLA Gold v Austin Gilgronis Gold Stadium  
20:00 EST
May 23 Houston SaberCats v Rugby ATL AVEVA Stadium  
20:00 EST
May 24 Old Glory DC v New England Free Jacks Cardinal Stadium  
15:00 EST
May 25 San Diego Legion v Utah Warriors Torero Stadium  
17:00 EST

Week 17 (May 30–31)

May 30 Rugby United New York v NOLA Gold MCU Park  
12:00 EST
May 30 New England Free Jacks v Rugby ATL Union Point Sports Complex  
16:00 EST
May 30 Colorado Raptors v San Diego Legion Infinity Park  
18:00 EST
May 30 Utah Warriors v Houston SaberCats Zions Bank Stadium  
21:00 EST
May 31 Toronto Arrows v Old Glory DC Lamport Stadium  
14:00 EST
May 31 Seattle Seawolves v Austin Gilgronis Starfire Sports Complex  
20:00 EST

Playoffs

The top three teams from each conference would have qualified for the playoffs had the season not been cancelled. The top team in each conference earns a bye week while the second and third place team play in a conference semifinal.

Player statistics

Top scorers

The top ten try and point scorers during the 2020 Major League Rugby season were: [5]

Last updated: March 9, 2020

Sanctions

PlayerTeam Red card.svg Red Yellow card.svg Yellow
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mike Shephard Toronto Arrows 10
Flag of Fiji.svg Poasa Waqanibau New England Free Jacks 02
Flag of Uruguay.svg Diego Magno Houston SaberCats 02
Flag of the United States.svg Brendan Daly Colorado Raptors 01
Flag of the United States.svg Malcolm May NOLA Gold 01
Flag of the United States.svg Lindsay Stevens NOLA Gold 01
Flag of Chile.svg Nikola Bursic NOLA Gold 01
Flag of New Zealand.svg Gordon Fullerton Old Glory DC 01
Flag of Tonga.svg Saia Uhila Utah Warriors 01
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Josh Larsen New England Free Jacks 01
Flag of England.svg Ben Foden RUNY 01
Flag of the United States.svg Peter Malcolm San Diego Legion 01
Flag of the United States.svg Vili Toluta'u Seattle Seawolves 01
Flag of Fiji.svg Lino Saunitoga Austin Gilgronis 01
Flag of Samoa.svg Potu Leavasa Jr. Austin Gilgronis 01
Flag of New Zealand.svg Brad Hemopo New England Free Jacks 01
Flag of the United States.svg Anthony Parry RUNY 01
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sione Fangaiuiha Austin Gilgronis 01
Flag of Fiji.svg Maikeli Mudu Austin Gilgronis 01
Flag of Argentina.svg Tomás de la Vega Toronto Arrows 01
Flag of South Africa.svg Tiaan Loots Houston SaberCats 01
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Nakai Penny Seattle Seawolves 01
Flag of the United States.svg Tim Maupin NOLA Gold 01
Flag of South Africa.svg JP du Plessis San Diego Legion 01
Flag of the United States.svg Kelepi Fifita Colorado Raptors 01
Flag of the United States.svg Holden Yungert NOLA Gold 01
Flag of New Zealand.svg Jamie Mackintosh Austin Gilgronis 01
Flag of New Zealand.svg Renata Roberts-Tenana Old Glory DC 01
Flag of Uruguay.svg Manuel Diana Toronto Arrows 01
Flag of the United States.svg Paddy Ryan RUNY 01
Flag of South Africa.svg Carl Meyer NOLA Gold 01
Flag of Italy.svg Joshua Furno San Diego Legion 01
Flag of the United States.svg Will Vakalahi Old Glory DC 01
Flag of South Africa.svg Neethling Gericke Rugby ATL 01
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Andrew Ferguson Toronto Arrows 01
Flag of New Zealand.svg Rene Ranger Colorado Raptors 01
Flag of Samoa.svg Marco Fepulea'i Colorado Raptors 01
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Andrew Quattrin Toronto Arrows 01
Flag of the United States.svg Rodrick Waters Austin Gilgronis 01
Flag of South Africa.svg Stephan Coetzee Seattle Seawolves 01

MLR Virtual

Following the cancellation of the 2020 season, the MLR announced they would host a tournament, with each team, playing Rugby 20. [6] The teams would enter a pool to select which nation they would play as. The MLR also announced that all of the MLR teams would be raising Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund. All of the matches would be streamed on the league's Twitch account.

MLR Team (National Team)WinsDrawsLoses
Austin Gilgronis (Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji)000
Colorado Raptors (Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand)000
Houston Sabercats (IRFU flag.svg  Ireland)000
New England Free Jacks (Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales)105
New Orleans Gold (Flag of the United States.svg  United States)100
Old Glory DC (Flag of France.svg  France)000
Rugby ATL (Flag of Japan.svg  Japan)100
Rugby United New York (Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia)001
San Diego Legion (Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa)000
Seattle Seawolves (Flag of England.svg  England)000
Toronto Arrows (Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada)100
Utah Warriors (Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay)000

Round 1

Mar 20 New England Free Jacks 17-34 Toronto Arrows  
7:00 EST
Mar 20 Seattle Seawolves 5-34 Austin Gilgronis  
Mar 22 Colorado Raptors v Houston SaberCats  
7:00 EST

Round 2

Mar 24 New England Free Jacks 14-28 New Orleans Gold  
8:00 EST
Mar 24 San Diego Legion v Houston SaberCats  
Mar 25 Utah Warriors v Austin Gilgronis  
8:00 EST
Mar 26 Old Glory DC 27-28 Rugby United New York  
8:00 EST
Mar 26 Seattle Seawolves 0-50 Colorado Raptors  

Round 3

Mar 26 New England Free Jacks 26-28 Old Glory DC  
6:00 EST
Mar 28 Colorado Raptors v Austin Gilgronis  
6:00 EST
Mar 28v Houston SaberCats  
Apr 04 Seattle Seawolves 47-0 San Diego Legion  

Round 4

Marc 31 Utah Warriors v Colorado Raptors  
8:00 EST
Apr 01 New England Free Jacks 10-5 Rugby United New York  
8:00 EST
Apr 01 Seattle Seawolves v Houston SaberCats  
9:00 EST
Apr 02 San Diego Legion v Austin Gilgronis  
8:00 EST

Round 5

Apr 04 New England Free Jacks 0-52 Rugby ATL  
6:00 EST
Apr 04 Houston Sabercats 13-5 Austin Gilgronis  
6:00 EST
Apr 04 Colorado Raptors v San Diego Legion  
6:00 EST
Apr 04 Seattle Seawolves 28-0 Utah Warriors  

Playoffs

First round

Apr 07 New England Free Jacks 0-5 San Diego Legion  
5:00 EST
Apr 08 Seattle Seawolves 26-17 Rugby United New York  

Semi-finals

Apr 09 New Orleans Gold 0-5 Austin Gilgronis  

Final

Apr 10 Colorado Raptors v Austin Gilgronis  
4:00 EST

Friendlies

Jun 15 Rugby United New York 5-19 South China Tigers  
Jun 27 Rugby United New York 19-17 South China Tigers  

MLR Draft

The 1st ever Major League Rugby collegiate draft was held in 2020. Players were eligible for the draft after 3 years of college or if they had reached 21 years of age. Free agents were permitted try out to join teams at 18 years old.

Notes

  1. ↑ Infinity Park is in Glendale, Colorado, a home rule municipality in the Denver metropolitan area.
  2. ↑ Starfire Stadium is in the Seattle suburb of Tukwila, Washington. [3]
  3. ↑ Lupo Family Field is in the Atlanta suburb of Marietta, Georgia.

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References

  1. ↑ "MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY SUSPENDS 2020 SEASON FOR 30 DAYS". www.majorleague.rugby. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Major League Rugby cancels remainder of 2020 campaign". Yahoo! Sports. AFP. March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Contact". Starfire Sports. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Old Glory shock Seawolves in thrilling DC opener". February 16, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Player Stats".
  6. ↑ "MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY LAUNCHES MLR 2020: VIRTUAL IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 CRISIS".

See also

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