Houston Strikers Hold Combine
Houston Strikers Hold Combine
The Houston Strikers have already signed some high-profile names for the launch of Major League Rugby in 2018, but they're still hiring.
The Houston Strikers have already signed some high-profile names for the launch of Major League Rugby in 2018, but they're still hiring.
On Saturday, the team held a combine to bolster the team's depth and find out whether any prospective players -- from just-graduated high schoolers to veterans who feel overlooked -- have the goods.
The Strikers are starting from the ground up but have plenty of financial support. The team is run by former USA assistant coach and Seattle Saracens head coach Justin Fitzpatrick and former Ulster flyhalf Sam Windsor as a player-coach. Adam Macklin, Connor Murphy (both pros in Ireland), and Pagopagohokma Taeaomua Haini (who played in the recent USA Islanders vs. Saracens game) have joined, as well.
FloRugby was at the combine and saw plenty of potential and a variety of athletes.
"It's a lot of fun," said one player. "Good atmosphere, great coaching."
The Houston Strikers will kick off their Major League Rugby season in 2018. Major League Rugby is a competition formed from a group of teams with strong financial backing that wanted to make a viable pro league. The competition is not run from the top down but rather requires the clubs to be financially strong from the beginning.
Some of the teams involved have grown out of existing clubs (Austin, Seattle, Glendale), while others, such as Houston, have grown directly from the desire to be part of MLR. The league will kick off in the spring of 2018.
On Saturday, the team held a combine to bolster the team's depth and find out whether any prospective players -- from just-graduated high schoolers to veterans who feel overlooked -- have the goods.
The Strikers are starting from the ground up but have plenty of financial support. The team is run by former USA assistant coach and Seattle Saracens head coach Justin Fitzpatrick and former Ulster flyhalf Sam Windsor as a player-coach. Adam Macklin, Connor Murphy (both pros in Ireland), and Pagopagohokma Taeaomua Haini (who played in the recent USA Islanders vs. Saracens game) have joined, as well.
FloRugby was at the combine and saw plenty of potential and a variety of athletes.
"It's a lot of fun," said one player. "Good atmosphere, great coaching."
The Houston Strikers will kick off their Major League Rugby season in 2018. Major League Rugby is a competition formed from a group of teams with strong financial backing that wanted to make a viable pro league. The competition is not run from the top down but rather requires the clubs to be financially strong from the beginning.
Some of the teams involved have grown out of existing clubs (Austin, Seattle, Glendale), while others, such as Houston, have grown directly from the desire to be part of MLR. The league will kick off in the spring of 2018.
Major Rugby Confirms 2018 Launch
Related Content
- Replay: Waratahs vs Rebels | Mar 29 @ 8 AM
Mar 29, 2024
- The Highest-Paid Rugby Player Is Finn Russell, But Who's In The Top 10?
Mar 29, 2024
- Replay: Crusaders vs Chiefs | Mar 29 @ 6 AM
Mar 29, 2024
- Replay: Matatu vs Hurricanes | Mar 29 @ 3 AM
Mar 29, 2024
- Top Tries From Top 14 Round 19: Scintillating Scores From France
Mar 27, 2024
- Duncan Paia'aua
Mar 27, 2024
- Penaud Try vs Toulouse
Mar 27, 2024
- Wame Naituvi Try vs Castres
Mar 27, 2024
- Christian Wade 1st Try
Mar 27, 2024