The Rugby Player

A product of Life University, Aussie born Mitch Wilson is currently contracted to the New England Freejacks. All American honors and National Championships are just the beginning for this rising utility back! Already making a big impact on the MLR, Mitch has a bright future! His pathway to now has been one of new experiences and landscapes at every turn!

Chance is a capped USA Eagle currently playing for Rugby ATL in MLR! At only 23 yrs old, his pathway through the US college system led to Chance getting a debut cap for the Eagles vs Ireland at just 21yrs back in 2019. Some great stories come out of this podcast including his passions away from rugby and a night out in NYC you wouldn’t wish on anyone!

Adam is a Scottish national player that has signed with the LA Giltinis in their inaugural season of MLR. Adam’s spent the majority of his career at the Glasgow Warriors earning a handful of caps for Scotland along the way. Away from rugby, he has launched (with previous guest of the pod Grayson Hart) an amazing range of CBD products that is recognized throughout rugby circles all over the world- PureSportsCBD. We hit on all these points as well as the usual insights into pathways and current environment within the Giltinis! An absolute legend with some extremely facinating tales which include a debut for his country unlike any other we've ever heard!

Troy grew up in England where he graduated from Eton College. After a stint with London Wasps Academy he decided to pack his bags and head to America where he attended college at US Rugby nursery; Cal Berkeley! A member of the All American Collegiate team, Troy was one of the rising stars in college rugby! He was then signed to Rugby United New York in the MLR, and made an immediate impact on the competition. Over the lockdown period Troy has launched a consultancy company- ‘Kyros’, helping international students navigate the US college application process.

Ross is an English native currently contracted to the Seattle Seawolves in the MLR. He has most recently done a short term stint with London Irish in the Premiership. Ross has also played 2 seasons with the Wasps prior to his move to the US. He discusses the highs and lows of life in the Premiership and Championship in the UK and how he is thriving in his new club, Seattle. Not to mention a hilarious story of a teammate having an unfortunate incident on the pitch and a wild story of a referee following a Championship match being chased out of a car park!

Alev is a key member of the USA Women’s Sevens program and has been since 2014. Growing up in Alaska with her siblings, sports and the outdoors were massive for her journey into rugby! Her pathway in the game has so many interesting points and it’s clear to see how Alev is now one of the top players in the World Sevens series. From Olympics aspirations to a passion for coffee and surfing, we discuss it all!

Evan is a Canadian born professional rugby player contracted with ProD2 club, Biarritz. He moved to Australia at an early age with his family where he spent all his age grade and early senior years playing. Following the 2015 RWC with Canada, Evan got his first pro contract at Newcastle in the Premiership. With over 25 caps for Canada, Evan has gone to 2 Rugby World Cups and has played all over the world. He dives deep into his journey and shares some honest insight into the current climate of the game in Canada, from the national side to the growth of the game and its rising stars. Not to mention some hilarious stories arond ditching a coach in Dublin after curfew and a team film review after a 'social' 4 hour bus trip from a preseason game. It was great to chat with Evan and he certainly gave some amazing stories around his career thus far!

Grayson grew up in Auckland, NZ where he earnt his first professional contract with the Blues before heading over to the Waratahs. An opportunity with Glasgow took Grayson north to play in the PRO14 where he earnt his first cap for Scotland. He is currently based in the UK and most recently has launched his own CBD company with huge success! We touch on some important topics around player welfare and growth of the game. Super honest insight from Grayson that hits hard on this episode!

Tony is a New Zealand born professional player with US eligibility through his father and grandparents. Growing up in NZ, Tony discusses his journey to Super Rugby where he is now part of arguably the most exciting squad going around! Representing the USA at the RWC last year he shares insight into his experiences in Japan and how he has become a key member of the national team.

Nate is a capped USA Eagle, part of the 2019 World Cup squad and playing for the New York professional team in the MLR. Nevermind the fact that he went to undergrad at Dartmouth and graduated with a masters in mechanical engineering from Cambridge University in the UK. He manages to balance professional rugby, full time work and lifestyle all in NYC!

Harry plays for the NSW Waratahs in Super Rugby. Along with being a regular starter for the Tahs and a capped Wallaby, he is one of the funniest rugby players you’ll meet. We discussed his pathway into professional rugby, upcoming Super AU competition and a Wallabies debut story that everyone should hear!

Ed is currently playing for Gloucester in the English Premiership. After early success with previous club Leicester Tigers, Ed has made the move to Gloucester with a talented roster in hopes of another title. We discuss his pathway to professional rugby, England camps and teammates that have impacted his career!

Tayler is a New Zealand born professional rugby player based in Toronto playing in the MLR. He has previously been contracted with the Melbourne Rebels and was part of a stacked NZ20s squad from 2013 captained by Ardie Savea.

Harry is currently playing for the Irish men’s sevens team and has been with the squad since their introduction to the World Series! Away from the game, Harry has some incredible tales of his travels. We talk about his extremely unique pathway that led him to professional rugby and all the adventures along the way. From training in Fiji with Semi Radradra to hostels in Bosnia with the Irish sevens team!

Ben is an American born professional rugby player, captaining the USA Men’s Sevens team as well as representing the USA Eagles at the Rugby World Cup in 2019. Ben shares detail around his world class breakdown skills and player insight touring on the world sevens circuit!

Something very different but extremely insightful. Anyone eager to learn more on team building, analysis, recruitment and cohesion MUST check this out. Co-Founder of GAIN LINE Analytics, Simon Strachan dives into the details and understanding of sports team cohesion. Along with his Co-Founder, Ex Wallaby Ben Darwin they have constructed and detailed insight into sports analysis.

Jono is currently playing professionally in the English Premiership for Worcester Warriors. He had a pretty spectacular introduction to professional rugby, winning 2 Super Rugby titles in his first 3 seasons before his career took him overseas. He is loving the experiences of Premiership rugby and shares some amazing stories on his career so far!

Blaine is a household name in the US. An American born professional player, he capped off an amazing career by captaining the USA Eagles at the Rugby World Cup in Japan. Blaine is one of a handful of US players to successfully pursue a career at the highest level over seas and he shares some great insight into his experiences.

Paddy is an Australian rugby player currently applying his trade professionally in Japan! He has over 100 Super Rugby caps and has worn the Green and Gold for his country! He has recently played for SD Legion in MLR earning ‘Forward if the Year 2019’! Was great to speak about his time in Japan and the historic 2014 Super Rugby title he was involved in with the Waratahs!

Shaun is a recently retired professional rugby player now applying his skills as a coach for the Utah Warriors in MLR. Shaun was part of the 2019 USA World Cup squad in Japan and shares insight into his playing career as well as the experiences that guide him now as a coach!

JP is a South African born professional rugby player currently playing for the SD Legion in the US. His story is a must listen for any rugby fans and his pathway is certainly a unique one! NRL, Super Rugby, Top 14 and now MLR! JP is thriving in Southern California where he earned ‘Back of the Year’ honors last season in Major League Rugby!

Sean is an Irish born professional rugby player with US eligibility living in Boston. He shares his experience of being an academy player in one of the worlds most decorated rugby clubs - Leinster, as well as the expectations of sporting franchises within the Boston area.

Nick Boyer is an American home grown rugby player from Northern California. He is currently playing for the Colorado Raptors in the MLR after having stints with USA Eagles 7s and 15s. Nick played age grade representative rugby growing up and has experienced a great pathway to follow for any aspiring rugby players in America!

Connor is a teammate of mine for Rugby United New York. Connor is one of a handful of players on the squad that has a full time job in Manhattan yet still manages to play at the highest level! Earning MLR honors last year as MLR 1st Team winger of the year!

Ross is an Irish born professional rugby player with US citizenship living in Atlanta, GA. I first met Ross when we were both playing for NYAC in NYC. He has recently moved to Atlanta to play for MLR expansion team Rugby ATL and complete a chiropractic degree at Life University!

Mason is an American professional rugby player living in Austin, Texas. He has played in Major League Rugby since it’s debut season and has seen a lot of changes within his franchise in that time. Most recently... a complete change in ownership and brand identity!

Sam is an Australian professional rugby player for the Houston Sabercats in Major League Rugby. We chat all things preseason, lifestyle and his journey to rugby in Texas!