Rugby Wrap Up

WASHINGTON, DC - It is hotter than Hades along the eastern seaboard in the United States. And it will only get hotter, when a loaded Scotland team squares off vs Team USA, here in the nation's capital. And while the MLR may be off before resuming with Round 1 of their postseason, their teams are still impacted. One such team is the NOLA Gold, and Head Coach Corey Brown talks about the break vs pre...

NEW YORK, NY - This week's The Rugby Odds has all the usual great elements, but also has some hard-to-hear commentary on diversity by WWE Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield, who is a staunch rugby advocate. On the lighter side, Irish legend George Hook slams host Matt McCarthy, while King Gift Egbelu changes alliances at the drop of a hat. INCLUDED: $$ 26-16 Record $$ Irish Redemption vs S.A. Ol...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - After a wild final round of Major League Rugby, this is a chock-full MLR Weekly show. And with our host at the exciting Old Glory vs NOLA match, we were able to catch up with D.C. Head Coach Simon Cross post-match. We were also able to get exclusive footage of the Gold at the Captain's Run and training in the hotel parking lot. ALSO INCLUDED: -John Fitzpatrick of Rugby Morning -...

"I want my face on The Rugby Odds." - M. Zuckerberg NEW YORK, NY - After calamitous chaos on the set, with panelists disappearing/reappearing, this week's The Rugby Odds is especially entertaining. It's also the start of a joke that's writing itself: "A Nigerian in Brazil, a Texan in D.C., & an impatient Scotsman walk into a New Yorker's rugby studio..." It's fun, fast and informative, and feature...

HOUSTON, TX - The mercury continues to rise, as do Major League Rugby teams nobody picked for the postseason. At the top of the table, however, stands one of the preseason favorites, the Houston SaberCats. Heyneke Myer, their Director of Rugby with the stellar CV/resume, is the main reason MLR Weekly rated them so high. In this exclusive with Matt McCarthy, Coach Meyer discusses all things, Housto...

NEW YORK, NY - This week's The Rugby Odds has fire. What else could one expect with WWE Hall of Famer/turned rugby advocate John Bradshaw Layfield and host Matt McCarthy doing business while having to keep/break the peace between Irish legend George Hook and Glaswegian Steve Lewis, King Gift Egbelu's proxy. INCLUDED: 32-28 Record The Titanic & Rugby Gloating Glaswegians Bulls Eye Prize Munster Man...

CHICAGO, IL - After a sizzling (literally) week with a zillion (figuratively) story-lines, the most poignant of the off-field events was the dismissal of Chicago Head Coach Sam Harris. In an exclusive with MLR Weekly, CEO/GM James English addresses that, as well as the direction, expectations and course for the Hounds going forward. ALSO INCLUDED: -John Fitzpatrick of Rugby Morning -Bryan Ray of A...

NEW ORLEANS, LA - Pigs are flyin' by the MLR Weekly corner office windows. Snowballs are being thrown in Hades. Democrats and Republics are hugging. AND... the NOLA Gold are in the playoffs! That's right, for the first time in 7 seasons there is a different feeling in The Big Easy and the only GM in NOLA's history - Ryan Fitzgerald - talks about the journey, the team, and new expectations. ALSO IN...

Professional rugby is at its collective global peak, and our spelunking rugby mountaineer panel has it all succinctly navigated for you in an unimaginable 24 minutes. #WWE "God" (turned rugby advocate) John Bradshaw Layfield, Irish legend George Hook and King Gift Egbelu's proxy/host Matt "Money" McCarthy do the heavy lifting, so you don't have to. INCLUDED (24 minutes): $$ 55-34 $$ Saints anointe...

NEW YORK, NY - This week's The Rugby Odds took a different path at the head of the show. One you'll want to see, re diversity, or the lack thereof - and the byproduct of under-utilizing a plentiful resource. From there, George Hook joins WWE Hall of Famer/turned rugby advocate John Bradshaw Layfield, King Gift Egbelu's proxy Steve Lewis and host Matt McCarty. Hook offers insight around the Premier...

MADRID, SPAIN - What does USA 7s have to do with a MLR Weeky show? Potentially plenty. With that, USA Men's 7s Head Coach Mike Friday covers a wide range of topics including: -7s players in Major League Rugby, -Synergy between USA Rugby, -Utilizing the MLR's Anthem franchise -The ability to go from 15s to 7s -Expectations for the Olympics -Poor Format on the 7s circuit -Life after rugby ALSO INCLU...

NEW ORLEANS, LA - It's hot. So are the NOLA Gold. Red-hot and on 4-game winning streak. One big reason for that has been the stellar play of Taniela Filimone, a budding star. We learn more about him and his story on MLR Weekly, via his chat with Matt McCarthy. ALSO INCLUDED: -John Fitzpatrick of Rugby Morning -Bryan Ray of Americas Rugby News -Picks of the Week from The Rugby Odds -TRN Play of the...

COSTA RICA - With all that's going on in rugby, we needed some help. To the rescue came vacationing WWE "God" & rugby advocate, John Bradshaw Layfield, who enlisted his proxy/caddy Steve "The Lizard" Lewis, to offer insight and insults from his Costa Rican lair. Along with Irish legend George Hook, King Gift Egbelu (Rugby's Yogi Berra) and host Matt "Money" McCarthy, the result is an entertaining...

NEW YORK, NY - The Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals are here at long last, so too is the Japan Rugby League One final. Super Rugby is gearing up for its post-season in fine fashion and the NRL has some key matches this weekend as well. With that, The Rugby Odds panel of #WWE "God" (turned rugby advocate) John Bradshaw Layfield, Irish legend George Hook, King Gift Egbelu (rugby's Yogi Berra)...

NEW YORK, NY - If you're in the Big Apple and you're a rugby fan, you are likely to stop at the Pig N Whistle on West 36th Street. It could be to watch rugby, or to get to a happy place amongst the bustle. You may even run into a rugby star or honcho, to boot. Alan Gilpin, CEO of World Rugby, is a honcho's honcho. He's a big deal. He's also refreshingly accessible, and sat with MLR Weekly for a wi...

QUINCY, MA - As the Major League Rugby season flies by, injuries mount, and depth is put to the test, (as is our MLR Weekly staff). When you're the reigning champs, though everyone is gunning for you. The New England Free Jacks are dealing with that now, as their injured list of stars grows. Head Coach Scott Mathie talks about navigating though it all, and a range of topics including player manage...

NEW YORK, NY - Professional rugby is humming toward the post-season globally, The Rugby Odds is right in tune, thanks to our eclectic panel of #WWE "God" (turned rugby advocate) John Bradshaw Layfield, Irish legend George Hook, King Gift Egbelu (rugby's Yogi Berra) and host Matt "Money" McCarthy. 24 magnificent minutes. INCLUDED: $$ 66-51 $$ Hook’s #1 Fly-half Layfield Shames Gloucester We Rank ML...

CHICAGO, IL - There are only certain cities that a man called "The Butcher" can hail from... Chicago is on that short list. Dylan "The Butcher" Fawsitt, formerly of Rugby New York and presently with the surging Chicago Hounds, tops that list. Meanwhile, he remains one of Major League Rugby's most prolific try-scorers. Host Matt McCarthy and Fawsitt discuss family, the move from NYC, getting the Ho...

NEW YORK, NY - More no-holds-barred, enlightening rugby entertainment from WWE Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield, Irish legend George Hook, King Gift Egbelu & host Matt McCarthy. INCLUDED: 49-32 Record Premiership into URC Hook: Kiwis Rep Leinster at Croke Toulouse & Dupont Blues vs Canes JBL vs Buffalo Glasgow to Beat Bulls Greatest Name: Manly Sea Eagles Zebre +30 Points vs Edinburgh? Picks o...

WASHINGTON, DC - The nation's capital (USA, that is) was teeming with rugby players. Oddly enough, those in Major League Rugby weren't part of the group. Old Glory, DC was in Utah playing the Warriors in another MLR match with a wild finish. But the CRC 7s was in town - and it was great. You'll see glimpses of it in this MLR Weekly. You'll also hear from Old Glory Head Coach, Simon Cross, who went...

NEW YORK, NY - With WWE "God" John Bradshaw Layfield dealing with mere mortal internet issues, his rugby proxy, Steve Lewis, acts on JBL's behalf in the first part of The Rugby Odds. Meanwhile, Irish legend George Hook, King Gift Egbelu (rugby's Yogi Berra), and Matt "Money" McCarthy hold the fort, while John pops in and out. [Ahem]... It all makes for a fast-paced and fun show that includes: 87-4...

MIAMI, FL - With that Wasps-to-the-MLR rumor, upsets and breaking news circulating around Major League Rugby, it's been a busy week. You're busy, too, so MLR Weekly sifts through it for you, while introducing Miami Head Coach Jose "Cochi" Pellicena. There's also injury news out of the Eastern Conference, and John Fitzpatrick of Rugby Morning and Bryan Ray of Americas Rugby News weigh in with updat...

NEW YORK, NY - Another epic week of global rugby has its share of Hot Button Topics and The Rugby Odds eclectic panel of WWE Hall of Famer (turned rugby advocate) John Bradshaw Layfield, Irish legend George Hook, King Gift Egbelu (Inventor of Words) and host Matt "Money" McCarthy are on the case, navigating, giggling and opining on the topics below - in just 23 entertaining minutes. South African...

DALLAS, TX - Remember those Dallas Jackals that could barely score tries, let alone win a match? We do. But those days look to be long-gone as the Jackals now have some serious bit in them. To talk about their hard-earned success is Attack Coach [Offensive Coordinator} Nate Osborne, who's been a Head Coach for NOLA and D.C.... Also in this MLR Weekly episode:  -[The] Pat Clifton of the CRC 7s -Joh...

NEW YORK, NY - A whirlwind week of GREAT rugby wasn't without controversy, and The Rugby Odds weighs in on all, while offering opinions and picks via our eclectic panel of WWE Hall of Famer (turned rugby advocate) John Bradshaw Layfield, Irish legend George Hook, King Gift Egbelu and host Matt "Money" McCarthy - in just 23 entertaining minutes. INCLUDED: $$ 51-30 $$ Jake White’s Bulls Sh*t Saints...