Ever since SRA started, Rugby fans have been asking for way for MLR to collaborate to create an 'Americas Cup'. How realistic is that dream, and what lies in it's way?

Major League Rugby Introduces Referee Review System Into Competition, Cans TMO

US-based podcaster and commentator David Lawrence joined Brett McKay on 8/9 Rugby this week, for a deeper dive into the current state of play around Major League Rugby in the United States. MLR had one of the roughest off-seasons in the history of professional rugby at the end of their 2025 season, when four clubs – Utah, Houston, NOLA, and Miami – all announced they were suspending operations for 2026, and two further clubs in San Diego and Los Angeles merged. What was an eleven-team, two conference competition is now six teams dotted to all corners of the USA. So how is MLR travelling now, just over a month into the 2026 season? Is this the reset the league needed, will any of those clubs return, and what does it all mean for USA Rugby, who will host a Rugby World Cup in just over five years’ time? #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Rugby Find David’s ‘Scrum of the Earth’ podcast, along with his MLR-focussed pod, the ‘Maul Street Journal’ wherever you get your podcasts. Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts Social media: search for ‘8/9 Rugby’ on Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and on Instagram, too And please do check out and subscribe to 8/9 Rugby on Substack: https://89rugby.substack.com/ Find Brett on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport Music: "Up Above" by Letter Box (via YouTube Creator Studio)