The Rugby Odds: Champions Cup, MLR History, Super Rugby, JRLO, Strong Opinions, Bold Predictions by Matt McCarthy

IRVINE, CA - Major League Rugby came back with a bang - and a history-making win for a beleaguered franchise. That's right, Anthem RC got off the schneid (Google it) after 32 consecutive losses. Unfortunately for the California Legion, they were the dubious streak-enders. MLR Weekly has it all covered, along with Anthem leader Sam Golla, who is clearly pumped to get that first win out of the way. He opens up with host Matt McCarthy.

PLUS... John Fitzpatrick of Rugby Morning and the College Rugby Corner with Pat Clifton. Details below.

WHAT'S INSIDE AND WHEN:

🎥 00:57: Rugby's Best Recap

☕️ 02:19: Rugby Morning's Coffee Break with John Fitzpatrick

•Anthem RC’s milestone progress/ what it means for MLR development

•Matchup projections

🎙️06:44: Feature Interview: Sam Golla (Anthem RC):

•Anthem’s evolving identity and confidence

•Lessons from difficult stretches as a young franchise

•Leadership expectations inside a developing roster

•Value of the Anthem–USA Rugby connection

•His commitment to long-term growth with the program

🔮 21:46: Picks of the Week from The Rugby Odds

🎓 22:31: College Rugby Corner with Pat Clifton of The College Rugby Show

• 🧭 NCR Weekend 7s recap

• 🪨 CRAA: Cal smashes St. Mary's.

• More qualifiers

DON'T MISS this week's The Rugby Odds: https://rugbywrapup.com/category/the-rugby-odds/

📩 Subscribe for weekly rugby updates: [https://rugbywrapup.com/weekly-updates/

🏉 Tag a rugby mate!

Find All Here:

-Web: www.RugbyWrapUp.com

-X/Twitter: @RugbyWrapUp @TheRugbyOdds, @MLRWeekly @Matt_McCarthy00, @CollegeRWU, @JonnyLewisFilms

-Face Book: Rugby Wrap Up

-Instagram: RugbyWrapUp

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🏷️ #Rugby #MLRWeekly #MajorLeagueRugby #RugbyWrapUp #TheRugbyOdds #MLRDraft #mlr2026 #BryanRay #JohnFitzpatrick #RugbyPicks #RugbyHighlights #RugbyMorning #AmericasRugbyNews #USARugby #OldGlory #RugbyATL #MLR2026 #SixNations #WorldRugby #SuperRugby #Top14 #PremiershipRugby #Pro14 #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #RugbyOdds #RugbyBetting #rfcla #californialegion #seattleseawolves #oldglorydc #anthemrugby #UtahWarriors #FreeJacks #chicagohounds #HoustonSaberCats #NOLAGold #LegacyCup #rugbyleague #sports #footy #rugbyunion #WER #WomensRugby #rugbyshow #UtahWarriors #scottlawrence #SVNS #HSBC7s #UrbanRugbyAmerica #graemebradbury 🏷️ #MLR #MLRWeekly #CollegeRugby #svns

FERMANAGH, IRELAND - At long last and after MUCH angst, Major League Rugby 2026 kicks off on Saturday for its 9th season. With that, MLR Weekly is up to the pomp, featuring the league's only remaining original owner - Adrian Balfour of Seattle's Seawolves. He peels back the curtain and turns back the clock with host Matt McCarthy.

PLUS...we have a Power Pundit Panel that picks the Shield winner and MLR's best player. We'll also have the College Rugby Corner. Details below.

WHAT'S INSIDE AND WHEN:

🎥 01:10: Pundit Power Prognosticators

• 🤝 Will Hooley, Ben Holden, John Fitzpatrick & Matt McCarthy pick the '26 champions

🎥 11:42: Seattle Owner Adrian Balfour

• Importance of the team's South Africa trip

• Mistakes made over 8 season

• Advice he'd give to Season 1 Adrian Balfour

• What it means to win

• Sights on new league prosperity

🎥 23:37: College Rugby Corner with Pat Clifton of The College Rugby Show

• Speed Kills

• 🧭 NCR Weekend 7s recap

• 🪨 CRAA results

• 🎓 More qualifiers

• 🔥 St Mary's vs Cal

DON'T MISS this week's The Rugby Odds https://youtu.be/z_0cayoiwlU?si=o6BY8t-_j6VXjH_A

📩 Subscribe for weekly rugby updates: [https://rugbywrapup.com/weekly-updates/

🏉 Tag a rugby mate!

Find All Here:

-Web: www.RugbyWrapUp.com

-X/Twitter: @RugbyWrapUp @TheRugbyOdds, @MLRWeekly @Matt_McCarthy00, @CollegeRWU, @JonnyLewisFilms

-Face Book: Rugby Wrap Up

-Instagram: RugbyWrapUp

-YouTube: Rugby Wrap Up

-Reddit: RugbyWrapUp

🏷️ #Rugby #MLRWeekly #MajorLeagueRugby #RugbyWrapUp #TheRugbyOdds #MLRDraft #mlr2026 #BryanRay #JohnFitzpatrick #RugbyPicks #RugbyHighlights #RugbyMorning #AmericasRugbyNews #USARugby #OldGlory #RugbyATL #MLR2026 #SixNations #WorldRugby #SuperRugby #Top14 #PremiershipRugby #Pro14 #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #RugbyOdds #RugbyBetting #rfcla #californialegion #seattleseawolves #oldglorydc #anthemrugby #UtahWarriors #FreeJacks #chicagohounds #HoustonSaberCats #NOLAGold #LegacyCup #rugbyleague #sports #footy #rugbyunion #WER #WomensRugby #rugbyshow #UtahWarriors #scottlawrence #SVNS #HSBC7s #UrbanRugbyAmerica #graemebradbury 🏷️ #MLR #MLRWeekly #CollegeRugby #svns

THE RUGBY ODDS — Season 6, Episode 23 (24 minutes)

📍 NEW YORK, NY - Europe's professional rugby teams are now back up to speed after the Six Nations, and The Rugby Odds will catch you up. Meanhwile, Super Rugby and Japan Rugby League One continue to score tries at blistering paces. Our TRO (The Rugby Odds) experts cover all with verve, panache and une je n'est ce pas!

🎙️ THE PANEL

💥 John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) – WWE Hall of Famer & rugby advocate

🇬🇧 Mike Friday – 3× Olympic 7s coach & Harlequins fan 🤔

☘️ George Hook – Ireland’s most unfiltered voice

🔥 King Gift Egbelu – Inventor of Words

🎤 Matt McCarthy – The host

⏱️ WHAT'S INSIDE & WHEN

00:50 📈 Records

01:01 👀 What Caught Your Eye?

06:02 🏆 Player of the Week Nominees

08:54 💪 Grown A$$ Man Nominees

11:59 ☘️ Headlines With [George] Hook

• 7s vs 15s in the USA

Predictions

20:34 🏉 MLR, URC, Premiership

24:10 🌎 Super Rugby, Top 14, 🇯🇵JRLO

26:39 🎯 Picks of the Week

🔥 DON’T MISS: MLR Weekly with Seattle Seawolves owner Adrian Balfour and the MLR Power Pundits.

🎵 Music by Mateo Messina

📺 Subscribe for new episodes every week:

👉 https://www.youtube.com/@RugbyWrapUp

📧 Media & sponsorship inquiries: [email protected]

📡 Available on Cox Media’s YurView, The Rugby Network, and all podcast platforms.

📢 FOLLOW US

🐦 X / Twitter: @TheRugbyOdds | @RugbyWrapUp

📸 Instagram: @RugbyWrapUp

📘 Facebook: @RugbyWrapUp

#Rugby #SixNations #URC #Top14 #JapanRugby #RugbyWrapUp #TheRugbyOdds #MLR #rugbypodcast

NEW YORK, NY - Happy Belated St. Patrick's Day! It was bittersweet in Boston, as Free Jacks GM Tom Kindley left for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby. Tom is going home, but it's not as easy as one would think. He talks about it with host Matt McCarthy.

WHAT'S INSIDE AND WHEN:

🎥 01:07: Rugby Morning's Coffee Break with John Fitzpatrick ☕️

• 🤝 St Patrick's Week exuberance and bad "green" puns

• Seawloves in South Africa

• 🔏 Todd Thornley to New England

• Different takes on HSBC SVNS NYC

• 🤝 MLR News

🎥 06:06: 7s Czar Stephen Lewis re HSBC 7s, USA Women

🎥 12:53: Free Jacks or Hurricanes GM Tom Kindley?!

• Bittersweet career change

• Salary Cap violations

• Favorite Free Jacks' memories

• What he'll miss most leaving USA

🎥 20:36: College Rugby Corner with Pat Clifton of The College Rugby Show

• Is Pat Clifton more Batman or a villain?

• 🧭 NCR Weekend 7s recap

• 🪨 Amazing Slippery Rock! Five 7s matches, no points allowed!

• 🎓 More qualifiers

• 🔥 University at Buffalo rules

DON'T MISS this week's The Rugby Odds https://youtu.be/qJdf_LNCc2E?si=wTRjK7etS5ueuHOf

📩 Subscribe for weekly rugby updates: [https://rugbywrapup.com/weekly-updates/

🏉 Tag a rugby mate!

Find All Here:

-Web: www.RugbyWrapUp.com

-X/Twitter: @RugbyWrapUp @TheRugbyOdds, @MLRWeekly @Matt_McCarthy00, @CollegeRWU, @JonnyLewisFilms

-Face Book: Rugby Wrap Up

-Instagram: RugbyWrapUp

-YouTube: Rugby Wrap Up

-Reddit: RugbyWrapUp

🏷️ #Rugby #MLRWeekly #MajorLeagueRugby #RugbyWrapUp #TheRugbyOdds #MLRDraft #mlr2026 #BryanRay #JohnFitzpatrick #RugbyPicks #RugbyHighlights #RugbyMorning #AmericasRugbyNews #USARugby #OldGlory #RugbyATL #MLR2026 #SixNations #WorldRugby #SuperRugby #Top14 #PremiershipRugby #Pro14 #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #RugbyOdds #RugbyBetting #rfcla #californialegion #seattleseawolves #oldglorydc #anthemrugby #UtahWarriors #FreeJacks #chicagohounds #HoustonSaberCats #NOLAGold #LegacyCup #rugbyleague #sports #footy #rugbyunion #WER #WomensRugby #rugbyshow #UtahWarriors #scottlawrence #SVNS #HSBC7s #UrbanRugbyAmerica #graemebradbury 🏷️ #MLR #MLRWeekly #CollegeRugby #svns

THE RUGBY ODDS — Season 6, Episode 22 (24 minutes)

📍 NEW YORK, NY - A sensational Six Nations has concluded. Super Rugby is heating up. The URC, Premiership and Top14 are back at it. Japan Rugby League One is seeing record amounts of points scored. Our TRO (The Rugby Odds) experts cover all with verve, panache and chutzpah!

🎙️ THE PANEL

💥 John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) – WWE Hall of Famer & rugby advocate

🇬🇧 Mike Friday – 3× Olympic 7s coach & Harlequins fan 🤔

☘️ George Hook – Ireland’s most unfiltered voice

🔥 King Gift Egbelu – Inventor of Words

🎤 Matt McCarthy – The host

⏱️ WHAT'S INSIDE & WHEN

00:57 📈 Records

01:11 👀 What Caught Your Eye?

• Mike salutes a ref?

• John blames a panel member for Italy losing

• Fijian Drua need to stop underperforming

• Ice in Thomas Ramos' veins

• Frigid HSBC SVNS NYC

06:20 🏆 Player of the Week Nominees

• Stuart McCloskey (Ireland)

• Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)

• Matthieu Jalibert (France)

09:30 💪 Grown A$$ Man Nominees

• Caelan Doris (Ireland)

• Ollie Chessum (England)

• Thomas Ramos (France)

12:55 ☘️ Headlines With [George] Hook

• Andy Farrell speculation

• Rating Six Nations Coaches

• Portugal to 6N after beating Georgia?

Predictions

21:13 🏉URC, Premiership

25:02 🌎 Super Rugby, Top 14, 🇯🇵JRLO

27:02 🎯 Picks of the Week

🔥 DON’T MISS: MLR Weekly with Tom Kindley, the departing GM of the New England Free Jacks

🎵 Music by Mateo Messina

📺 Subscribe for new episodes every week:

👉 https://www.youtube.com/@RugbyWrapUp

📧 Media & sponsorship inquiries: [email protected]

📡 Available on Cox Media’s YurView, The Rugby Network, and all podcast platforms.

📢 FOLLOW US

🐦 X / Twitter: @TheRugbyOdds | @RugbyWrapUp

📸 Instagram: @RugbyWrapUp

📘 Facebook: @RugbyWrapUp

#Rugby #SixNations #URC #Top14 #JapanRugby #RugbyWrapUp #TheRugbyOdds #MLR #rugbypodcast

THE RUGBY ODDS — Season 6, Episode 21

📍 NEW YORK, NY - It's a Six Nations, Super Rugby and Japan Rugby League One weekend, following last weekend's full schedule in the URC, Super Rugby, Japan Rugby League One and the Top14. Our TRO experts cover it all.

🎙️ THE PANEL

💥 John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) – WWE Hall of Famer & rugby advocate

🇬🇧 Mike Friday – 3× Olympic 7s coach & Harlequins fan 🤔

☘️ George Hook – Ireland’s most unfiltered voice

🔥 King Gift Egbelu – Inventor of Words

🎤 Matt McCarthy – The host

⏱️ WHAT'S INSIDE & WHEN:

01:00 🚨 A win BIGGER than Scotland's or Italy's?!

003:02 👀 What Caught Your Eye?

• Italy not even at their best vs England

• Rhys Carre wins the world's hearts & imaginations

• Who are the Dynoboars?

• Welsh, Scottish, Italian warriors

06:13 🏆 Player of the Week Nominees

• Stuart McLoskey (Ireland)

• Tomasso Menoncello (Italy)

• Paolo Garbisi (Italy)

09:16 💪 Grown A$$ Man Nominees

• Alex Mann (Wales)

• Rory Darge (Scotland)

• Lorenzo Cannone (Italy)

12:12 ☘️ Headlines With [George] Hook

• Welsh heroic

• Scottish world-beaters

• Vince Lombardi

• George's Admission

20:01 🧠 Six Nations Predictions

25:55 🏉 Super Rugby Predictions

26:39 🇯🇵 Japan Rugby League One Predictions

27:01 🎯 Picks of the Week

🔥 DON’T MISS: MLR Weekly with MLR Director of Rugby, Brandon Sparks

🎵 Music by Mateo Messina

📺 Subscribe for new episodes every week:

👉 https://www.youtube.com/@RugbyWrapUp

📧 Media & sponsorship inquiries: [email protected]

📡 Available on Cox Media’s YurView, The Rugby Network, and all podcast platforms.

📢 FOLLOW US

🐦 X / Twitter: @TheRugbyOdds | @RugbyWrapUp

📸 Instagram: @RugbyWrapUp

📘 Facebook: @RugbyWrapUp

#Rugby #SixNations #URC #Top14 #JapanRugby #RugbyWrapUp #TheRugbyOdds #MLR #RugbyPodcast

NEW YORK, NY - There was some confusion re the new Major League Rugby refereeing system, despite legendary ref Nigel Owens offering his thoughts from a bubble bath. MLR Director of Rugby Brandon Sparks looks to "clean things up" with host MLR Weekly host Matt McCarthy.

WHAT'S INSIDE AND WHEN:

🎥 01:23: Rugby Morning's Coffee Break with John Fitzpatrick ☕️

• 🤝 Bathing with Nigel Owens?

• 🔏 World Rugby's NYC gamble

• 🤝 MLR News

🎥 04:32: 7s Czar Stephen Lewis re HSBC 7s, USA Women

🎥 10:38: MLR Director of Rugby, Brandon Sparks

• Acronym clarity for TMO, RSS, ISRO

• Coaches Challenge Flags

• Only specific requests can be looked at

• Work in progress

🎥 24:31: College Rugby Corner with Pat Clifton of The College Rugby Show

• 🧭 NCR Weekend 7s recap

• 🏉 Big matches in CRAA

• 🔥 Upcoming Tourneys

• 🎓 More qualifiers

📩 Subscribe for weekly rugby updates: [https://rugbywrapup.com/weekly-updates/

🏉 Tag a rugby mate!

Find All Here:

-Web: www.RugbyWrapUp.com

-X/Twitter: @RugbyWrapUp @TheRugbyOdds, @MLRWeekly @Matt_McCarthy00, @CollegeRWU, @JonnyLewisFilms

-Face Book: Rugby Wrap Up

-Instagram: RugbyWrapUp

-YouTube: Rugby Wrap Up

-Reddit: RugbyWrapUp

🏷️ #Rugby #MLRWeekly #MajorLeagueRugby #RugbyWrapUp #TheRugbyOdds #MLRDraft #mlr2026 #BryanRay #JohnFitzpatrick #RugbyPicks #RugbyHighlights #RugbyMorning #AmericasRugbyNews #USARugby #OldGlory #RugbyATL #MLR2026 #SixNations #WorldRugby #SuperRugby #Top14 #PremiershipRugby #Pro14 #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #RugbyOdds #RugbyBetting #rfcla #californialegion #seattleseawolves #oldglorydc #anthemrugby #UtahWarriors #FreeJacks #chicagohounds #HoustonSaberCats #NOLAGold #LegacyCup #rugbyleague #sports #footy #rugbyunion #WER #WomensRugby #rugbyshow #UtahWarriors #scottlawrence #SVNS #HSBC7s #UrbanRugbyAmerica #graemebradbury 🏷️ #MLR #MLRWeekly #CollegeRugby

WASHINGTON, DC - In this week's MLR Weekly Old Glory Co-Owner Chris Dunlavey (who still laces the boots), talks with Matt McCarthy re wide range of topics listed below.

WHAT'S INSIDE AND WHEN:

🎥 01:06: Rugby Morning's Coffee Break with John Fitzpatrick ☕️

• 🤝 Connor Buckley's sudden career switch

• 🔏 Dlyan Fawsitt retiring - or is he?

• 🏉 Joe Mano signs with...

• 🤝 MLR News

• 🌍 L.A./Southern Cal Youth Rugby

🎥 05:37: Old Glory Co-Owner Chris Dunlavey

• League-wide, radical changes

• New Teams

• D.C.'s claim to the MLR Shield

• Losing talent to leagues overseas

• Favorite MLR moment

🎥 23:28: College Rugby Corner with Pat Clifton of The College Rugby Show

• 🧭 Weekend recap

• 🔥 Upcoming Tourneys

• 🎓 More qualifiers

📩 Subscribe for weekly rugby updates: [https://rugbywrapup.com/weekly-updates/

🏉 Tag a rugby mate!

Find All Here:

-Web: www.RugbyWrapUp.com

-X/Twitter: @RugbyWrapUp @TheRugbyOdds, @MLRWeekly @Matt_McCarthy00, @CollegeRWU, @JonnyLewisFilms

-Face Book: Rugby Wrap Up

-Instagram: RugbyWrapUp

-YouTube: Rugby Wrap Up

-Reddit: RugbyWrapUp

🏷️ #Rugby #MLRWeekly #MajorLeagueRugby #RugbyWrapUp #TheRugbyOdds #MLRDraft #mlr2026 #BryanRay #JohnFitzpatrick #RugbyPicks #RugbyHighlights #RugbyMorning #AmericasRugbyNews #USARugby #OldGlory #RugbyATL #MLR2026 #SixNations #WorldRugby #SuperRugby #Top14 #PremiershipRugby #Pro14 #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #RugbyOdds #RugbyBetting #rfcla #californialegion #seattleseawolves #oldglorydc #anthemrugby #UtahWarriors #FreeJacks #chicagohounds #HoustonSaberCats #NOLAGold #LegacyCup #rugbyleague #sports #footy #rugbyunion #WER #WomensRugby #rugbyshow #UtahWarriors #scottlawrence #SVNS #HSBC7s #UrbanRugbyAmerica #graemebradbury 🏷️ #MLR #MLRWeekly #CollegeRugby

THE RUGBY ODDS — Season 6, Episode 20

📍 NEW YORK, NY - It's a Six Nations, Super Rugby and Japan Rugby League One weekend, following last weekend's full schedule in the URC, Super Rugby, Japan Rugby League One and the Top14. Our TRO experts cover it all.

🎙️ THE PANEL

💥 John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) – WWE Hall of Famer & rugby advocate

🇬🇧 Mike Friday – 3× Olympic 7s coach & Harlequins fan 🤔

☘️ George Hook – Ireland’s most unfiltered voice

🔥 King Gift Egbelu – Inventor of Words

🎤 Matt McCarthy – The host

⏱️ WHAT'S INSIDE & WHEN:

02:02 🚨 Management apologizes to John

02:48 👀 What Caught Your Eye?

• Watered down matches (literally & figuratively)

• Welsh teams show life (Ospreys, Cardiff, Dragons)

• Brodie Retalick,

• Fijian Drua, Lions, Bulls

05:31 🏆 Player of the Week Nominees

• Cathal Forde (Connacht)

• Embrose Papier (Bulls)

• Seiya Ozaki (Sungoliath)

07:19 💪 Grown A$$ Man Nominees

• Joe Marler? (retired)

• Christian Lio-Willie (Crusaders)

• Alun Lawrence (Cardiff)

• Fraser McReight (Reds)

10:01 ☘️ Headlines With [George] Hook

• Italy to beat England

• Wales mortally wounded

• Ginger McLoughlin

•Festooned with saxons

20:30 🧠 SIX NATIONS

25:35 🏉 Super Rugby Predictions

26:30 🇯🇵 Japan Rugby League One picks

26:44 🎯 Picks of the Week

🔥 DON’T MISS: MLR Weekly with Old Glory Co-Owner Chris Dunlavey.

🎵 Music by Mateo Messina

📺 Subscribe for new episodes every week:

👉 https://www.youtube.com/@RugbyWrapUp

📧 Media & sponsorship inquiries: [email protected]

📡 Available on Cox Media’s YurView, The Rugby Network, and all podcast platforms.

📢 FOLLOW US

🐦 X / Twitter: @TheRugbyOdds | @RugbyWrapUp

📸 Instagram: @RugbyWrapUp

📘 Facebook: @RugbyWrapUp

#Rugby #SixNations #URC #Top14 #JapanRugby #RugbyWrapUp #TheRugbyOdds #MLR #RugbyPodcast