📰 HEADLINES

MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY 

• Quote: "As a Collegiate All-American, USA 7’s Falcons, and USA 20’s player with an infectious energy, Aaron’s movement sees him taking on people with dynamism and speed. His finishing ability combined with his emphasis on growing make him a truly exciting prospect to join us in our inaugural season," said Dallas Jackals GM Elaine Vassie. 

• Takeaway: 25-year-old openside flanker Nakai Penny, who played in only three games in the 2021 season after sustaining an upper-body injury, re-ups with Seattle through 2024. 

• Takeaway: 21-year-old Canadian international Lockie Kratz - who was the youngest player on NOLA Gold last season - returns to New Orleans on a two-year deal. 

PLAYER HEALTH & SAFETY

• Takeaway: New best practice training guidelines include a maximum of 15 minutes a week of full-contact training, 40 minutes a week of controlled contact training, and 30 minutes of live set-piece training. 

PREMIER RUGBY SEVENS

• 📆 Saturday, October 9
• ⏰ 10:00 AM ET - 5:50 PM ET
• 📺 FS2  - Consolation & Men's Final

• 📆 Saturday, October 9
• ⏰ 10:50 AM ET - 5:50 PM ET
• 📺 FS2  - Consolation & Women's Final

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP 

• Takeaway: All Blacks head coach Ian Foster named Ardie Savea captain and placed Beauden Barrett at flyhalf and brother Jordie Barrett at fullback.

RWC 2023 QUALIFIERS 

• Officiating Crew:
  • Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
  • Assistants: Peter Martin (Ireland) & Scott Green (USA)
  • TMO: Derek Summers (USA)

• Officiating Crew:
  • Referee: Chris Busby (Ireland)
    Assistants: Sean Gallagher (Ireland) & Moe Chaudhry (Canada)
    TMO: Chris Assmus (Canada)

🏉 QUICK HITS

• Australia: Hodge beats O'Connor to vacant fullback jersey as Rennie sticks with stars
• Belize: Rugby Belize turning heads with city-wide Captain's Run ahead of international debut 
• Chile: Chile names traveling squad for Canada series opener 
• College Rugby: Life University women's rugby joins South Atlantic Rugby Conference
• Fiji: FRU sets new rules for 7s tournament organizers
• India: India women's rugby sevens begin life after pandemic with silver lining 

🏉 MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY

• Quote: "We’d love to be able to do the double next season. That’s always a big challenge, but an exciting one. Personally, my long-term goal and my passion lies in analysis and rugby education – something I feel is going to be key here in North America over the next decade. I’d like to get an experienced performance analyst in every MLR club," said Marc 'Sparky' Carter. 

📆 THIS WEEK IN RUGBY

• Pro D2
  • Week 5

• Premiership Rugby
  • Round 2
• Pro D2
  • Week 5
• United Rugby Championship
  • Week 1

• Italy vs. Spain
  • RWC 2021 Europe Qualifier
• Ireland vs. Scotland 
  • RWC 2021 Europe Qualifier
• Premiership Rugby
  • Round 2
• RFU Championship
  • Week 2
• Rugby Championship
  • New Zealand vs. South Africa
• Rugby Championship
  • Australia vs. Argentina
• Top 14
  • Week 4
• United Rugby Championship
  • Week 1
• World Rugby Sevens
  • Edmonton 

• Premiership Rugby
  • Round 2
• Top 14
  • Week 4
• World Rugby Sevens
  • Edmonton

🎧 THIS WEEK IN RUGBY PODCASTS