Anthem Rugby Carolina
Professional rugby union club in North Carolina
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Anthem Rugby Carolina, shortened to Anthem RC, is an American professional rugby union team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, that competes in Major League Rugby (MLR). The team was founded in 2024, and began to play during the 2024 season. Unlike other MLR teams, Anthem RC is funded by governing bodies, USA Rugby and World Rugby,[1] in the aim to improve the USA Eagles so they may qualify for the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup, and be competitive for the US-hosted 2031 Rugby World Cup.[2]
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| Founded | February 5, 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Charlotte, North Carolina | |
| Ground | American Legion Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 10,500) | |
| Coach | Agustín Cavalieri | |
| Captain | Sam Golla | |
| Most caps | Dan Hanson (31) | |
| Top scorer | Cliven Loubser (57) | |
| Most tries | Te Rangatira Waitokia (7) | |
| League | Major League Rugby | |
| 2025 | Eastern Conference: 6th Playoffs: DNQ | |
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History
Anthem RC finished the 2024 season 0-16, the third winless season in MLR history after the 2019 Austin Elite and 2022 Dallas Jackals. Despite the team's struggle, Anthem back Junior Gafa was named MLR Rookie of the Year,[3] with scrum-half Siaosi Nai and left wing Cael Hodgson earning First XV honors.[4]
Anthem RC announced the appointment of Patrick Stack as its first team president on January 14, 2025.[5] On March 31, 2025, Anthem RC became the first team in MLR history to field a roster entirely composed of domestic players in 25-17 loss to the Seattle Seawolves.[6]
Players and personnel
Current squad
The Anthem Rugby Carolina squad for the 2026 Major League Rugby season is:[7]
Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.
- Senior 15s internationally capped players are listed in bold.
- * denotes players qualified to play for the United States on dual nationality or residency grounds.
- ** denotes non-American players playing as domestic players (maximum of four per matchday-23).
Head coach
Alama Ieremia (2024–present)
Technical staff
The team's technical staff as of 2024[update] is as follows:[8]
Neethling Gericke - Assistant Coach, Forwards (2024–present)- Elvis Seveali'i - Assistant Coach, Backs and Skills (2024-present)
Brendan Keane - Assistant Coach (2024-present)
Matoko Noudehou - Physical Performance Coach (2024-present)- Zach Fournier - Lead Athletic Trainer (2024-present)
- Michael Sheridan - Assistant Athletic Trainer (2024-present)
- Luke Richmond - Analyst (2024-present)
Darran Coleman - Team Manager (2024-present)
Records
2024 season
Anthem Rugby Carolina played 16 games in the 2024 regular season. They did not make the playoffs.
| Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 3 | New England Free Jacks | Home | American Legion Memorial Satdium | Lost, 13-46 |
| March 9 | New Orleans Gold | Away | Gold Mine on Airline | Lost, 34-19 |
| March 17 | Dallas Jackals | Home | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Lost, 28-68 |
| March 23 | Miami Sharks | Away | AutoNation Sports Field | Lost, 50-21 |
| March 30 | Old Glory DC | Home | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Lost, 32-46 |
| April 5 | Utah Warriors | Away | Zions Bank Stadium | Lost, 44-19 |
| April 14 | Chicago Hounds | Away | SeatGeek Stadium | Lost, 59-26 |
| April 27 | New Orleans Gold | Home | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Lost, 5-40 |
| May 3 | Seattle Seawolves | Away | Starfire Stadium | Lost, 29-13 |
| May 10 | Houston SaberCats | Home | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Lost, 15-38 |
| May 18 | RFC Los Angeles | Home | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Lost, 29-33 |
| June 1 | Old Glory DC | Away | Maryland SoccerPlex | Lost, 47-29 |
| June 9 | San Diego Legion | Away | Snapdragon Stadium | Lost, 34-24 |
| June 16 | Miami Sharks | Home | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Lost, 14-30 |
| June 22 | Chicago Hounds | Home | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Lost, 29-38 |
| June 29 | New England Free Jacks | Away | Veterans Memorial Stadium | Lost, 40-7 |
2025 season
Anthem Rugby Carolina played 16 games in the 2025 regular season.
| Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 15 | NOLA Gold | Away | Gold Mine on Airline | Lost, 35-14 |
| February 21 | San Diego Legion | Home | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Lost, 52-5 |
| February 28 | Miami Sharks | Home | Mecklenburg County Sportsplex | Lost, 32-31 |
| March 8 | Old Glory DC | Away | Maryland SoccerPlex | Lost, 26-22 |
| March 22 | Houston SaberCats | Home | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Lost, 46-45 |
| March 29 | Seattle Seawolves | Away | Starfire Stadium | Lost, 25-17 |
| April 5 | NOLA Gold | Home | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Lost, 33-19 |
| April 13 | Chicago Hounds | Away | SeatGeek Stadium | Lost, 28-20 |
| April 18 | New England Free Jacks | Home | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Lost, 26-6 |
| April 23 | Seattle Seawolves | Home | Mecklenburg County Sportsplex | Lost, 60-19 |
| April 27 | Miami Sharks | Away | Baptist Health Community Field | Lost, 31-5 |
| May 10 | RFCLA | Away | Wallis Annenberg Stadium | Lost, 45-17 |
| May 18 | Old Glory DC | Home | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Lost, 41-19 |
| May 24 | Chicago Hounds | Home | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Lost, 33-19 |
| May 30 | Utah Warriors | Away | Zions Bank Stadium | Lost, 31-10 |
| June 8 | Houston SaberCats | Away | SaberCats Stadium | Lost, 26-14 |
