Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Martin Pengelly in New York

LA and Austin out of MLR as US rugby faces further uncertainty

Chris Mattina of the Austin Gilgronis dives for a try against the Los Angeles Giltinis at Los Angeles Coliseum in May.
Chris Mattina of the Austin Gilgronis dives for a try against the Los Angeles Giltinis at Los Angeles Coliseum in May. Photograph: Michael Owens/Getty Images for LA Giltinis

Major League Rugby, the US men’s professional rugby union competition, will operate with 12 teams next season, down from 13 with the withdrawal of Los Angeles and Austin but with the addition of an expansion team, possibly based in Chicago.

Announcing the news on Tuesday, the MLR commissioner, George Killebrew, said: “While we understand that this news is disappointing for the fans, players, and stakeholders of these two teams, this decision was made after much deliberation and counsel, and with the best interests of the league in mind.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.