The 2025 Major League Rugby (MLR) season is officially underway, and Round 1 didn’t disappoint.
Fans were treated to hard-hitting battles, clutch finishes, and standout performances from new signings and returning stars. From nail-biting final moments to dominant team displays, the opening weekend set the tone for an action-packed season ahead.
- Miami Sharks 29 – 31 Old Glory DC
- NOLA Gold 35 – 14 Anthem RC
- Houston SaberCats 22 – 25 Chicago Hounds
- RFC Los Angeles 17 – 24 New England Free Jacks
- San Diego Legion 40 – 26 Seattle Seawolves
Here’s a full breakdown of all the Round 1 results, scores, and highlights:
OLD GLORY DC SNATCH DRAMATIC LAST-SECOND VICTORY OVER MIAMI SHARKS IN MLR SEASON OPENER
Miami Sharks 29 - 31 Old Glory DC (HT 21-10)
The 2025 Major League Rugby season began with a thrilling finish as Old Glory DC edged Miami Sharks 31-29 after a last-gasp error from the hosts. Leading 29-24 with the clock in the red, Miami needed only to kick the ball out to secure victory. However, scrum-half Damian Morley’s clearance was charged down, allowing Old Glory to launch a final attack. Fly-half Jason Robertson executed a pinpoint cross-field kick to Axel Muller, who completed his hat-trick with a match-winning try. Robertson slotted the conversion to seal the comeback win. Miami had led through tries from Mauro Rebussone (2), Tomas Cubilla, and Ake Muti, while Robertson and Muller’s clinical finishing powered DC to a dramatic triumph.
MIAMI SHARKS
- Tries: Muti (29’), Rebussone (34’, 43’), Cubilla (37’)
- Conversions: Elias (30’, 35’, 38’)
- Penalties: Videla (66’)
OLD GLORY DC
- Tries: Muller (3’, 20’, 79’), Nelligan (71’), Robertson (76’)
- Conversions: Robertson (72’, 77’, 79’)
NOLA GOLD DOMINATE ANTHEM RUGBY CAROLINA IN OPENING ROUND MLR VICTORY
Nola Gold 35 - 14 Anthem RC (HT 28-0)
NOLA Gold opened their 2025 Major League Rugby campaign with a commanding 35-14 victory over newcomers Anthem Rugby Carolina at The Gold Mine in Metairie, Louisiana. A clinical first-half performance, led by the power of their forward pack and the precision kicking of Dorian Jones, secured a bonus-point win for the hosts. Anthem showed resilience in the second half, but NOLA’s early dominance proved decisive.
NOLA GOLD
- Tries: Mignot (4’), Tonga’uiha (20’), Mau’u (28’), O’Toole (33’, 48’)
- Conversions: Jones (5’, 21’, 29’, 34’, 49’)
ANTHEM RC
- Tries: Alikhan (55’), Keane (62’)
- Conversions: Wilson (56’, 63’)
CHICAGO HOUNDS EDGE HOUSTON SABERCATS IN DRAMATIC MLR SEASON OPENER
Houston SaberCats 22 - 25 Chicago Hounds (HT 17-12)
The Chicago Hounds kicked off their 2025 Major League Rugby season with a hard-fought 25-22 victory over the Houston SaberCats at SaberCats Stadium. Despite a slow start and a red card for wing Noah Brown, the Hounds battled back with three tries and a clutch performance from Adriaan Carelse, whose late penalty secured the win.
HOUSTON SABERCATS
- Tries: Warner (3’), Penalty Try (35’). Tuifua (78’)
- Conversions: Coetzer (4’)
- Penalties: Coetzer (10’)
CHICAGO HOUNDS
- Tries: Fawsitt (21’), Scott (28’), Jones (49’)
- Conversions: Swiel (29’), Carelse (50’)
- Penalties: Carelse (59’, 73’)
FREE JACKS GRIND OUT GRITTY OPENING WIN OVER RFC LOS ANGELES
RFC Los Angeles 17 - 24 New England Free Jacks (HT 10-14)
The New England Free Jacks began their Major League Rugby title defense with a determined 24-17 victory over RFC Los Angeles at Wallis Annenberg Stadium. The two-time reigning champions battled through late disciplinary setbacks to secure a hard-fought road win, earning a bonus point with four tries in their season opener.
RFC LOS ANGELES
- Tries: Bertranou (19’), Leali’ifano (55’)
- Conversions: Leali’ifano (20’, 56’)
- Penalties: Leali’ifano (11’)
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
- Tries: Melvin (2’), Penalty Try (38’), Balekana (42’), van der Bank (47’)
- Conversions: Poland (3’)
SAN DIEGO LEGION POWER PAST SEATTLE SEAWOLVES IN SEASON OPENER
San Diego Legion 40 – 26 Seattle Seawolves (HT 28-0)
In a thrilling start to the 2025 Major League Rugby season, the San Diego Legion secured a decisive 40-26 victory over the Seattle Seawolves at Torero Stadium. The Legion dominated the first half, racing to a 28-0 lead with four unanswered tries, showcasing their offensive prowess and strategic depth. Seattle mounted a spirited comeback in the second half, highlighted by Jesse Mackail’s two tries, including one in the 84th minute, but it wasn’t enough to overcome San Diego’s substantial lead. The match underscored the Legion’s readiness for the season and the Seawolves’ resilience, setting the stage for an exciting rivalry ahead.
SAN DIEGO LEGION
- Tries: Poidevin (3’), James (7’, 27’), Holloway (13’), Aoake (44’), Tupai (75’)
- Conversions: McClutchie (4’, 8’, 14’ 28’ 45’)
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
- Tries: Orr (57’), Fouche (63’), Mackail (73’, 80’)
- Conversions: Iona (64’), Fouche (74’, 80’)
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 1
That wraps up Round 1 of Major League Rugby. With teams finding their form, the competition is becoming even more intense, and every match is proving to be a battle. Some teams are making strong early statements, while others are still searching for consistency.
What do you think of this weekend’s action? Which team impressed you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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