Rugby Football Club Los Angeles

Last updated
Rugby FC Los Angeles
RFC Los Angeles logo.png
Founded2018;7 years ago (2018)
Location Los Angeles, California
Ground(s) Wallis Annenberg Stadium (Capacity: 2,145)
Coach(es) Stephen Hoiles
Captain(s) Niall Saunders
League(s) Major League Rugby
2023 5th (Eastern Conference)
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1st kit
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2nd kit
Official website
rugbyfcla.com

Rugby FC Los Angeles (RFCLA) is an American professional rugby union team based in Los Angeles, California, that competes in Major League Rugby (MLR). The team began play in 2020 as Rugby ATL, based in Atlanta, Georgia, but announced they would relocate to Los Angeles for the 2024 season, under new ownership.

Contents

History

Rugby ATL

On September 21, 2018, Major League Rugby announced that Atlanta was one of the expansion teams joining the league for the 2020 season. [1] The team name "Rugby ATL" was revealed on February 26, 2019. [2] The team was unofficially known as the Rattlers and in 2021 an alternate logo with a rattlesnake was unveiled. [3] Rugby ATL played its first three seasons at Lupo Family Field on the campus of Life University in the Atlanta suburb of Marietta. The field was damaged by flooding in September 2021 and the team moved to Silverbacks Park ahead of the 2022 season. [4]

Following the death of their original team owner, S. Marcus Calloway, the ownership of the team was placed into an investment group, acquiring control of the franchise on an interim basis. The move kept Rugby ATL operational, until a permanent ownership group was acquired in 2023. [5]

Rugby FC Los Angeles

On August 2, 2023, Major League Rugby announced that Rugby ATL would be relocating to a yet-to-be announced location for the 2024 season. [5] On August 17, it was announced the team would relocate to Los Angeles. On December 21, it was announced that the team would be renamed to Rugby FC Los Angeles, abbreviated to RFCLA. [6] [7] This marked the return of Major League Rugby back to Los Angeles since the removal of the former LA Giltinis in October 2022. On the same day, it was announced that RFCLA would play out of Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA.

Sponsorship

SeasonKit manufacturerShirt sponsorOther Shirt sponsor(s)
2019 Canterbury NoneNone
2020–2023 Paladin Sports Barbour Orthopedics and SpineNone
Terrapin Beer Co.
Body Armor Sports Drink

Roster

The Los Angeles squad for the 2025 Major League Rugby season is: [8]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

PlayerPositionUnion
Mike Sosene-Feagai Hooker Flag of the United States.svg United States
Ben Strang Hooker Flag of the United States.svg United States
Ben Sugars Hooker Flag of England.svg England
Patrick Beattie Prop Flag of the United States.svg United States
Alessandro Heaney Prop Flag of the United States.svg United States
Cronan Gleeson Prop IRFU flag.svg Ireland
Maliu Niuafe* Prop Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand
Declan Leaney Prop Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia
Lincoln Si'i Prop Flag of the United States.svg United States
Conor Young Prop Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Dane Zander Prop Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia
Lucas Bur Lock Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina
Matt Gelhaus Lock Flag of the United States.svg United States
Reegan O'Gorman Lock Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Jurie van Vuuren Lock Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa
Mikea Wynyard Lock Flag of the United States.svg United States
Tim Anstee Back row Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia
Leyton Delzell Back row Flag of the United States.svg United States
Jason Damm Back row Flag of the United States.svg United States
Matt Heaton Back row Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Ben Houston Back row Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia
Semi Kunatani Back row Flag of Fiji.svg Fiji
Ed Timpson Back row Flag of England.svg England
PlayerPositionUnion
Gonzalo Bertranou Scrum-half Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina
Omar Levinson Scrum-half Flag of Israel.svg Israel
Cristian Rodriguez Scrum-half Flag of the United States.svg United States
Tas Smith Scrum-half Flag of the United States.svg United States
Matt Anticev Fly-half Flag of the United States.svg United States
Cameron Gerlach Fly-half Flag of the United States.svg United States
Christian Leali'ifano Fly-half Flag of Samoa.svg Samoa
Sean Nolan Fly-half Flag of the United States.svg United States
Nick Chan Centre Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia
Matias Jensen Centre Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia
Will Leonard* Centre IRFU flag.svg Ireland
Seth Purdey Centre Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Derek Adams Wing Flag of the United States.svg United States
Andrew Coe Wing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Christian Dyer Wing Flag of the United States.svg United States
Robert Mapa Wing Flag of the United States.svg United States
Jack Shaw Wing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Vaughen Isaacs Fullback Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa
Reece MacDonald Fullback Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand
Rory van Vugt Fullback Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand

Head coaches

Assistant coaches

Captains

Records

Season standings

SeasonConferenceRegular seasonPostseason
PosPldWDLFA+/−BPPtsPldWLFA+/−Result
Rugby ATL
2020 [a] Eastern5th5203116110+6412------Cancelled
2021 Eastern2nd161105420321+9913572112740-13Won East Conference Final (Rugby United New York) 10–9
Lost Major League Rugby final (LA Giltinis) 17–31
2022 Eastern2nd161105468340+12811571011926-7Lost East Conference Eliminator (Rugby New York) 19–26
2023 Eastern5th165110355428-73628------Did not qualify
Rugby Football Club Los Angeles
2024 Western6th165110367473-1061032------Did not qualify
Totals69342331,7261,672+54381583124666-202 postseason appearances

404 Rugby (2019)

Rugby ATL started with an exhibition side, called 404 Rugby. From September to November 2019, 404 Rugby played exhibition matches against Mystic River, NYAC, Old Blue, and USA Rugby men's club champions Life University. [10]

2019 roster

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

PlayerPositionUnion
Alex Maughan Hooker Flag of the United States.svg United States
Amro Gouda Hooker Flag of the United States.svg United States
Barrington McNutt Hooker Flag of the United States.svg United States
Sam Chaney Prop Flag of the United States.svg United States
Nick Towns Prop Flag of the United States.svg United States
Cullen Barelka Prop Flag of the United States.svg United States
Sam Peri Lock Flag of the United States.svg United States
Michael Young Lock Flag of the United States.svg United States
Paris Hollis Flanker Flag of the United States.svg United States
Josh Rieser Flanker Flag of the United States.svg United States
Andre Potgieter Flanker Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa
Lordan Hinojosa Flanker Flag of the United States.svg United States
Marthinus van Zyl Number 8 Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa
PlayerPositionUnion
Kurtis Werner Scrum-half Flag of the United States.svg United States
Sam Christmann Scrum-half Flag of the United States.svg United States
Lucas Baistrocchi Fly-half Flag of the United States.svg United States
Ryan Britain Centre Flag of the United States.svg United States
Martini Talapusi Centre Flag of Samoa.svg Samoa
Richard Shore Centre Flag of the United States.svg United States
Drew Moyes Wing Flag of the United States.svg United States
Eamonn Mathews Wing Flag of the United States.svg United States
Sam Trammel Wing Flag of the United States.svg United States
Tom Wallace Wing Flag of the United States.svg United States
John Truax Wing Flag of the United States.svg United States
Robert Mattison Fullback Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa

2019 season

All games in the 2019 season were exhibition games and did not count in the MLR standings.

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
September 7 Mystic River AwayPine Banks50–25
September 14 Old Blue HomeLupo Family Field45–6
September 28 New York Athletic Club Away Travers Island 42–17
October 5 Life University AwayLupo Family Field22–21
October 12 New Orleans Away Gretna Park 55–24
October 19Old BlueAway Columbia Soccer Stadium 17–25
November 2New York Athletic ClubHomeLupo Family Field66–7
November 9Life UniversityHomeLupo Family Field30–18

2020 season

On March 12, 2020, MLR announced the season would go on hiatus immediately for 30 days due to fears surrounding the 2019–2020 coronavirus pandemic. [11] It was cancelled the following week [12]

Regular season

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
February 9 Utah Warriors Home Life University Running Eagles Stadium Won, 28–19
February 16 New Orleans Gold Away Gold Mine Won, 22–10
February 23 Rugby United New York HomeLife University Running Eagles StadiumLost, 19–22
March 1 Toronto Arrows HomeLife University Running Eagles StadiumLost, 18–28
March 8 Old Glory DC Away Cardinal Stadium Lost, 29–31
March 22 New England Free Jacks HomeLife University Running Eagles StadiumCancelled
March 28 Austin Gilgronis Away Round Rock Multipurpose Complex Cancelled
April 5New Orleans GoldHomeLife University Running Eagles StadiumCancelled
April 10Rugby United New YorkAway MCU Park Cancelled
April 19Toronto ArrowsAway Lamport Stadium Cancelled
April 26 San Diego Legion HomeLife University Running Eagles StadiumCancelled
May 2 Colorado Raptors Away Infinity Park Cancelled
May 10 Seattle Seawolves HomeLife University Running Eagles StadiumCancelled
May 17Old Glory DCHomeLife University Running Eagles StadiumCancelled
May 23 Houston SaberCats Away Aveva Stadium Cancelled
May 30New England Free JacksAway Union Point Sports Complex Cancelled

2021 season

Regular season

DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
March 20 Toronto Arrows HomeWon, 21–14
March 27 Old Glory DC AwayLost, 23–30
April 3 San Diego Legion HomeWon, 41–22
April 11 Rugby United New York HomeLost, 17–27
April 17 Austin Gilgronis AwayLost, 15–17
April 24 New Orleans Gold HomeWon, 38–28
May 9Toronto ArrowsAwayWon, 33–29
May 15 New England Free Jacks HomeWon, 33–18
May 23 Seattle Seawolves AwayWon, 25–6
May 29 LA Giltinis HomeWon, 17–12
June 5New Orleans GoldAwayWon, 8–7
June 13Rugby United New YorkAwayLost, 24–31
June 19 Houston SaberCats HomeWon, 33–15
June 26Old Glory DCHomeWon, 32–12
July 10 Utah Warriors AwayWon, 41–31
July 18New England Free JacksAwayLost, 19–22

Post season

DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
July 24 Rugby United New York HomeWon, 10–9
August 1 LA Giltinis AwayLost, 17–31

2022 season

Regular season

DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
February 5 Old Glory DC HomeWon, 55–22
February 12 New Orleans Gold AwayWon, 14–9
February 19 Rugby New York HomeLost, 31–36
March 5 Houston SaberCats HomeWon, 29–22
March 12 Austin Gilgronis HomeWon, 29–14
March 20Old Glory DCAwayWon, 27–13
March 26 New England Free Jacks HomeLost, 27-41
April 2 Toronto Arrows AwayWon 20-14
April 9New Orleans GoldAwayWon, 34-17
April 24 San Diego Legion AwayWon, 30-17
April 30 LA Giltinis HomeLost, 19-31
May 7 Utah Warriors AwayLost, 26-44
May 13New England Free JacksAwayLost, 10-15
May 22Rugby New YorkAwayWon, 38-3
May 28Toronto ArrowsHomeWon, 34-23
June 3New Orleans GoldHomeWon, 45-19

Postseason

RoundDateOpponentHome/AwayResult
East EliminatorJune 11 Rugby New York HomeLost, 19–26

2023 season

Regular season

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
February 17 Toronto Arrows Home Silverbacks Park Won, 17–10
February 24 Seattle Seawolves Away Starfire Sports Complex Lost, 28–22
March 4 NOLA Gold HomeSilverbacks ParkWon, 29–16
March 18 San Diego Legion HomeSilverbacks ParkLost, 10–35
March 25 Houston SaberCats Away SaberCats Stadium Lost, 40–28
April 2 New York Ironworkers Away Memorial Field Lost, 31–20
April 8 Old Glory DC HomeSilverbacks ParkWon, 35–27
April 15NOLA GoldAway The Gold Mine Won, 23–7
April 22 New England Free Jacks Away Veterans Memorial Stadium Lost, 23–13
May 6 Chicago Hounds HomeSilverbacks ParkWon, 27–12
May 12 Toronto Arrows Away York Lions Stadium Draw, 34–34
May 20 Dallas Jackals HomeSilverbacks ParkLost, 27–19
May 27 Utah Warriors Away Zions Bank Stadium Lost, 28–12
June 2New England Free JacksHomeSilverbacks ParkLost, 35–14
June 10New York IronworkersHomeSilverbacks ParkLost, 39–24
June 17Old Glory DCAway Segra Field Lost, 36–28

Notes

  1. ↑ 2020 regular season shortened and playoffs cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

  1. ↑ "Major League Rugby confirms Boston and Atlanta for 2020 – Americas Rugby News". www.americasrugbynews.com. September 21, 2018.
  2. ↑ "ATLANTA'S NEW MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY TEAM PICKS A NAME". USMLR.com. February 26, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Rugby ATL unveil new logo for 2021 season". Americas Rugby News. 9 August 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  4. ↑ "Rugby ATL relocate to Silverbacks Park for 2022". Americas Rugby News. 6 December 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Major League Rugby's Atlanta Team to Relocate". Major League Rugby. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
  6. ↑ "Major League Rugby Officially Announces Rugby FC Los Angeles for 2024". Major League Rugby.
  7. ↑ "Major League Rugby Officially Announces Rugby Football Club Los Angeles for 2024". Rugby FC LA. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  8. ↑ "RFC Los Angeles". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  9. ↑ "Rugby ATL adds Stephen Brett to coaching staff". Americas Rugby News. 2020-12-31. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
  10. ↑ "Schedule".
  11. ↑ Anonymous, "MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY SUSPENDS 2020 SEASON FOR 30 DAYS," www.majorleague.rugby, March 12, 2020 Retrieved March 14, 2020
  12. ↑ "Major League Rugby cancels remainder of 2020 campaign". Yahoo! Sports. AFP. March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
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