San Diego, Los Angeles rugby clubs to merge, form new California Legion
Ma a Nonu catches the ball on the tips of his fingers in the first half of a match File photo by Chris Stone Times of San Diego The San Diego Legion is no more but rugby still will have a place locally The squad launched in and Rugby Football Club Los Angeles ratified Wednesday that they have agreed in principle to form a single statewide professional rugby franchise the California Legion But the Legion won t leave San Diego utterly The new association will begin competing in the Major League Rugby MLR season and play their home matches in multiple venues across San Diego Los Angeles and Orange County This is a unifying vision for the sport of rugby across California We are fortunate to have a group of owners and advisors that have a shared vision explained Adam Freier newly appointed CEO of the California Legion in a news release By combining guidance talent and passion we will create a franchise that reflects the full anticipated of rugby in this state from youth enhancement to professional excellence With the merger MLR teams remain the cities include Chicago Houston Miami New Orleans and Seattle The San Diego club tasted a great deal of success including winning a record games two years ago but fell short of securing a MLR crown They reached the inaugural championship contest in but lost to the Seattle Seawolves then made it all the way to the title battle again the following year only to again drop the match to Seattle this time in heartbreaking fashion In that record-breaking season the Legion certainly dispatched Seattle only to see the New England Free Jacks begin a championship run the gang prevailed over San Diego by one point to capture the MLR Shield and now have won three straight Last season the Legion missed the playoffs but during its time as the San Diego Legion the club brought high-profile players to the region including New Zealand rugby legend Ma a Nonu and Australian Matt Giteau a three-time World Cup veteran Along with the installation of the new MLR franchise the Legion Public Foundation will prioritize tactical initiatives like establishing Flag Rugby leagues in regions where school leadership supports California Interscholastic Federation-sanctioned play Major League Rugby will constantly prioritize long-term increase of the challenge in the U S delivering an exceptional on-field product and an incredible fan experience and The California Legion is a way to showcase that in Southern California mentioned MLR Commissioner Nic Benson The effort is designed to not only grow participation but to build sustainable pathways for young players into high school collegiate and eventually MLR the U S A Eagles men s national rugby gang and beyond The focus will include expanding boys and girls high school rugby advancing men s and women s area college rugby supporting the elevation of women s rugby to NCAA Championship status and launching an annual California Youth Rugby Summit in
