Rugby Football Club Los Angeles

Rugby FC Los Angeles (RFCLA) is a professional rugby union team in Major League Rugby (MLR) from Los Angeles. 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.

Rugby FC Los Angeles
Founded2018 (2018)
LocationLos Angeles, California
Ground(s)Dignity Health Sports Park (Capacity: 27,000)
Coach(es)Stephen Brett
Captain(s)Niall Saunders
League(s)Major League Rugby
20235th (Eastern Conference)
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
rugbyfcla.com

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] On the same day, it was announced that RFCLA would play out of Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA.

Sponsorship
Season Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Other Shirt sponsor(s)
2019 Canterbury None None
2020–2023 Paladin Sports Barbour Orthopedics and Spine None
Terrapin Beer Co.
Body Armor Sports Drink

Roster
For player movements before and during the 2024 season, see List of 2023–24 Major League Rugby transfers § Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles squad for the 2024 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.

Player Position Union
Bruce Kauika-Petersen Hooker New Zealand
Ben Strang Hooker United States
Sam Buckley* Prop England
Alessandro Heaney Prop United States
Alex Maughan Prop United States
Wilton Rebolo Prop Brazil
Lincoln Si'i Prop United States
Conor Young Prop Canada
Dane Zander Prop Australia
Liam Antrobus Lock United States
Matt Gelhaus Lock United States
Ben Mitchell Lock United States
Reegan O'Gorman Lock Canada
Jurie van Vuuren Lock South Africa
Theo Vukašinović Lock England
Michael Amiras Back row South Africa
Jason Damm Back row United States
Matt Heaton Back row Canada
Max Katjijeko Back row Namibia
Semi Kunatani Back row Fiji
Bruce Yun Back row United States
Player Position Union
Cristian Rodriguez Scrum-half United States
Niall Saunders (c) Scrum-half Ireland
Tas Smith Scrum-half United States
Matt Anticev Fly-half United States
Jordan Chait Fly-half South Africa
Dan Hollinshead Fly-half New Zealand
Sean Nolan Fly-half United States
Jason Emery Centre New Zealand
Will Leonard* Centre Ireland
Seth Purdey Centre Canada
James Stokes Centre England
Derek Adams Wing United States
Andrew Coe Wing Canada
Brooklyn Hardaker Wing Australia
Jack Shaw Wing Canada
Henry Speight Wing Australia
Austin White Wing United States
Rory van Vugt Fullback New Zealand
Sam Walsh Fullback United States
  • Senior 15s internationally capped players are listed in bold.
  • * denotes players qualified to play for the United States on dual nationality or residency grounds.
  • MLR teams are allowed to field up to ten overseas players per match.

Head coaches

Assistant coaches

Captains

Records

Season standings
Season Conference Regular season Postseason
Pos Pld W D L F A +/− BP Pts Pld W L F A +/− Result
2020[lower-alpha 1] Eastern 5th5203116110+6412------Cancelled
2021 Eastern 2nd161105420321+9913572112740-13Won East Conference Final (Rugby United New York) 10–9
Lost Major League Rugby final (LA Giltinis) 17–31
2022 Eastern 2nd161105468340+12811571011926-7Lost East Conference Eliminator (Rugby New York) 19–26
2023 Eastern 5th165110355428-73628------Did not qualify
Totals53291231,3591,199+160281263124666-202 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.

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

2019 season

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

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
September 7Mystic RiverAwayPine Banks50–25
September 14Old BlueHomeLupo Family Field45–6
September 28New York Athletic ClubAwayTravers Island42–17
October 5Life UniversityAwayLupo Family Field22–21
October 12New OrleansAwayGretna Park55–24
October 19Old BlueAwayColumbia Soccer Stadium17–25
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 9Utah WarriorsHomeLife University Running Eagles StadiumWon, 28–19
February 16New Orleans GoldAwayGold MineWon, 22–10
February 23Rugby United New YorkHomeLife University Running Eagles StadiumLost, 19–22
March 1Toronto ArrowsHomeLife University Running Eagles StadiumLost, 18–28
March 8Old Glory DCAwayCardinal StadiumLost, 29–31
March 22New England Free JacksHomeLife University Running Eagles StadiumCancelled
March 28Austin GilgronisAwayRound Rock Multipurpose ComplexCancelled
April 5New Orleans GoldHomeLife University Running Eagles StadiumCancelled
April 10Rugby United New YorkAwayMCU ParkCancelled
April 19Toronto ArrowsAwayLamport StadiumCancelled
April 26San Diego LegionHomeLife University Running Eagles StadiumCancelled
May 2Colorado RaptorsAwayInfinity ParkCancelled
May 10Seattle SeawolvesHomeLife University Running Eagles StadiumCancelled
May 17Old Glory DCHomeLife University Running Eagles StadiumCancelled
May 23Houston SaberCatsAwayAveva StadiumCancelled
May 30New England Free JacksAwayUnion Point Sports ComplexCancelled

2021 season

Regular season
DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
March 20Toronto ArrowsHomeWon, 21–14
March 27Old Glory DCAwayLost, 23–30
April 3San Diego LegionHomeWon, 41–22
April 11Rugby United New YorkHomeLost, 17–27
April 17Austin GilgronisAwayLost, 15–17
April 24New Orleans GoldHomeWon, 38–28
May 9Toronto ArrowsAwayWon, 33–29
May 15New England Free JacksHomeWon, 33–18
May 23Seattle SeawolvesAwayWon, 25–6
May 29LA GiltinisHomeWon, 17–12
June 5New Orleans GoldAwayWon, 8–7
June 13Rugby United New YorkAwayLost, 24–31
June 19Houston SaberCatsHomeWon, 33–15
June 26Old Glory DCHomeWon, 32–12
July 10Utah WarriorsAwayWon, 41–31
July 18New England Free JacksAwayLost, 19–22

Post season
DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
July 24Rugby United New YorkHomeWon, 10–9
August 1LA GiltinisAwayLost, 17–31

2022 season

Regular season
DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
February 5Old Glory DCHomeWon, 55–22
February 12New Orleans GoldAwayWon, 14–9
February 19Rugby New YorkHomeLost, 31–36
March 5Houston SaberCatsHomeWon, 29–22
March 12Austin GilgronisHomeWon, 29–14
March 20Old Glory DCAwayWon, 27–13
March 26New England Free JacksHomeLost, 27-41
April 2Toronto ArrowsAwayWon 20-14
April 9New Orleans GoldAwayWon, 34-17
April 24San Diego LegionAwayWon, 30-17
April 30LA GiltinisHomeLost, 19-31
May 7Utah WarriorsAwayLost, 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
See also: 2022 Major League Rugby playoffs
RoundDateOpponentHome/AwayResult
East EliminatorJune 11Rugby New YorkHomeLost, 19–26

2023 season

Regular season
DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
February 17Rugby ATLHomeSilverbacks ParkWon, 17–10
February 24Seattle SeawolvesAwayStarfire Sports ComplexLost, 28–22
March 4NOLA GoldHomeSilverbacks ParkWon, 29–16
March 18San Diego LegionHomeSilverbacks ParkLost, 10–35
March 25Houston SaberCatsAwaySaberCats StadiumLost, 40–28
April 2New York IronworkersAwayMemorial FieldLost, 31–20
April 8Old Glory DCHomeSilverbacks ParkWon, 35–27
April 15NOLA GoldAwayThe Gold MineWon, 23–7
April 22New England Free JacksAwayVeterans Memorial StadiumLost, 23–13
May 6Chicago HoundsHomeSilverbacks ParkWon, 27–12
May 12Toronto ArrowsAwayYork Lions StadiumDraw, 34–34
May 20Dallas JackalsHomeSilverbacks ParkLost, 27–19
May 27Utah WarriorsAwayZions Bank StadiumLost, 28–12
June 2New England Free JacksHomeSilverbacks ParkLost, 35–14
June 10New York IronworkersHomeSilverbacks ParkLost, 39–24
June 17Old Glory DCAwaySegra FieldLost, 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. "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 31 December 2023.
  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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