News

~ Join us as the Legion take on the Houston SaberCats this Saturday 2/9/2019. Kick off is at 7:00PM at Torero Stadium. It’s “WAY BACK SATURDAY” so be sure to wear your favorite throwback gear.

~ San Diego – Amid a torrential downpour, a muddy and slick pitch, and a slippery ball, the San Diego Legion delivered a fantastic victory over reigning Major League Rugby champions, the Seattle Seawolves. Through the leadership of former Australia international Paddy Ryan in the forwards and the elusive running of Mike Te’o and Jasa Veremalua in the back’s, San Diego was able to hold onto victory despite Seattle’s late comeback attempt ~ The pitch, already slick with mud at the start of the match, forced plenty of handling errors in the opening 25 minutes as the two sides settled into...

~ San Diego – San Diego Legion opened the 2019 Major League Rugby with plenty of positives as they dropped their first match of the season to Rugby United New York in a tight 23-25 affair at Torero Stadium. With a strong crowd in attendance boosting the home side, San Diego surged in the second half in an attempt to overcome the first half deficit, ultimately coming up just short of the mark. MLR’s newcomers came out of the gate with fiery pace. Moving the ball while to the wings with speed and precision, New York stretch the San Diego defense...

~ Hey San Diego, who’s ready for some RUGBY! The 2019 season kick-off is just 3 days away. Get your tickets today as your San Diego Legion take on Rugby United New York. Buy Your Tickets Today!!!. Tickets available online or at the gate.

~ We are excited to announce the re-signing of US National Team member @ryanmatyas1 back to our #squad. We’re only 40 days away from the opening game against @rugbyunitedny and Ryan and crew are getting fired up for the season.

~ SALT LAKE CITY Major League Rugby (MLR) announced today the 2019 season schedule will be released Wednesday, November 7. The announcement comes shortly after the recent addition of the Toronto Arrows, who will compete in year two of MLR. “We’re pleased to release our 2019 schedule,” said Major League Rugby Commissioner, Dean Howes. “The pace and delivery will be unmatched as nine elite teams take the pitch in January to compete over the course of 19 weeks.” The excitement launches the weekend of January 26 with a thrilling repeat of the MLR Championship: Glendale at Seattle. The Seawolves edged the...

~ It ain’t about how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. It’s how much you can take, and keep moving forward…’ – Rocky Balboa Thank you for a great inaugural season, San Diego. We’re amped to have made it this far; it is ONLY the beginning. More importantly, we are proud to have been a part of the first season of Major League Rugby and excited to see the strides made for professional rugby in the United States. For more information on the MLR Championship Game hosted here in San Diego, scroll down. Check...

~ We made it to Major League Rugby Championship Series, San Diego! Finishing the regular season in MLR’s #3 seed, San Diego Legion is heading to the MLR Playoffs, a doubleheader, single-elimination event that will kickoff on Saturday, June 30 in Glendale, CO at Infinity Park. San Diego Legion takes on the Seattle Seawolves (#2 seed team) beginning at 4 p.m. PT, and official watch parties will be showing the match throughout San Diego. Show your support by sporting your Legion gear and enjoy special food & beverage specials specifically for America’s Finest Fans. MLR PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE: Semifinal 1, 4 p.m. PDT, Infinity Park: Seattle Seawolves vs. San Diego Legion Semifinal 2, 6:30 p.m. PDT,...

~ We look to defend our at-home winning streak against the undefeated Glendale Raptors on Saturday, June 23. Plus, it’s the final match of Major League Rugby’s inaugural season! Good news: We’ve already secured a spot in the MLR Playoffs, so there’s A LOT to celebrate in America’s Finest City on Saturday night! Come out and cheer on your San Diego Legion at Torero Stadium. Gates open: 6:30 PM* Kick off: 7:30 PM PT ~ ~ ONLINE TICKET DEALS Yoga on the Pitch (Enjoy a one-hour pregame yoga session on the pitch led by lululemon ambassador Sophia Da Silva Hopson, a general admission ticket to the night’s match,...

~ San Diego takes on the Seattle Seawolves, June 30, for postseason match SAN DIEGO, Calif. (June 27, 2018) – San Diego is making sports history! Major League Rugby (MLR) launched its inaugural season in the United States this year, with San Diego Legion making big moves for the newly-formed professional sports league and American Rugby. Finishing the regular season in MLR’s #3 seed, San Diego Legion has secured a spot in the MLR Championship Series. This grand, first-ever event will kickoff with the MLR Playoffs on Saturday, June 30 in Glendale, CO at Infinity Park. San Diego Legion will take on the Seattle Seawolves (#2 seed team)...

~ San Diego Legion put in a ferocious performance against the league-leading, undefeated Glendale Raptors on Saturday night. Glendale was kept scoreless through 78 minutes of the match, and San Diego earned a 23-5 victory in their Major League Rugby regular season finale. Another great crowd turned out to Torero Stadium for Women’s Appreciation Night, lifting San Diego Legion to a dominating offensive and defensive display of rugby. The match immediately began with San Diego having possession as scrum-half Nick Boyer, and SD Legion forwards pushing back the Glendale defense deep into their half. In the 3rd minute the referee penalized Glendale Raptors for illegal rucking, giving San...

~ The San Diego Legion clinched a spot in the Major League Rugby Championship Series yesterday with a fantastic win over the Austin Elite Rugby. The large Father’s Day crowd (nearly 3,000 people in attendance) at Torero Stadium pushed the Legion to a 3-try performance that made up for San Diego‘s defeat in Austin just a few weeks ago.   San Diego Legion dominated possession in the match from the very beginning, keeping the ball through several offensive phases per possession and forcing Austin to commit turnovers early and often. Austin‘s defense gave up a penalty deep in their own half just...

~ Back in May, USA Rugby announced some very exciting news for San Diego Legion and the rugby community at large. Seven of our very own players were selected to play with the USA Men’s Eagles team. In light of this, Coach Rob Hoadley adjusted the roster and brought in some talented players to fill these gaps. Now, San Diego Legion invites you to welcome some new players as we strive to earn a position in the Major League Rugby Championship Series! Below are some of team’s newest players: FAKAOSI PIFELETI Hometown: Longolongo, Tonga Played for: Saracens Prop PAT O’TOOLE Hometown: Louisburgh,...

~ What does being a part of San Diego sports history look like? At any given San Diego Legion home match, families, sports enthusiasts and community locals are invited to experience a fast-paced contact sport unlike any other. We make an effort to feature fun activities for every type of fan. ~ ~ Based on fan feedback we’ve heard this season, our team is happy to introduce more features to our game day experience. For this weekend’s match, we take on Austin Elite Rugby on Sunday, June 17th at 5 PM PT. Here’s a recap of everything that those in...

~ San Diego Legion returned to winning ways with a vital winning performance against NOLA Gold, 39-22. Several San Diego Legion players were missing having been called up to play with the USA Men’s Eagles team for the summer international match series. San Diego Legion was able to take control of the match early with the young team at their disposal. ~ ~ San Diego made big hits and broke through NOLA’s defensive line several times in the opening 15 minutes, shooting out to a 15-7 lead before NOLA could truly catch their breath. Despite a tight 22-10 halftime score,...

~ SALT LAKE CITY (June 10, 2018) – The San Diego Legion were named the Major League Rugby Team of the Week the League announced today. The Legion notched a six-try victory against the NOLA Gold on the road, earning the bonus point and securing an MLR Playoff spot during Week 8. From the opening kick, it was clear the Legion was going to use the positioning battle to win the match, and the 39-22 score resembled that. The Legion spent almost 70 percent of the match in the Gold’s territory. Glendale’s Harley Davidson earned Player of the Week honors. Davidson...

~ Are you ready for this Saturday afternoon’s (nationally televised) away match as we take on NOLA Gold? Local San Diego establishments across the county are hosting an array of San Diego Legion Watch Parties, with fan-inspired deals available during the game just for YOU. If you can’t make it and still want to tune in, here’s how you can stream the game on Saturday at 2 PM PT. Come out, show off your SD Legion pride and support world-class rugby with America’s Finest Fans! NORTH COUNTY Park 101 3040 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad, CA 92008 10% off all orders placed during the...

~ Are you ready for this Friday evening’s (nationally televised) away match as we take on Austin Elite Rugby? Local San Diego establishments across the county are hosting an array of San Diego Legion Watch Parties, with fan-inspired deals available during the game just for YOU. If you can’t make it and still want to tune in, here’s how you can stream the game on Friday at 6 PM PT. Come out, show off your SD Legion pride and support world-class rugby with America’s Finest Fans! NORTH COUNTY Park 101 3040 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad, CA 92008 10% off all orders placed during...

~ San Diego Legion pushed undefeated league-leaders, Glendale Raptors, all the way to the final whistle in a thrilling 27-31 defeat in Glendale, Colorado. The Mother’s Day crowd at Glendale‘s Infinity Park witnessed one of the tightest matches of the Major League Rugby season and were treated to a display of both offensive and defensive moments of brilliance. San Diego Legion stuttered as they came out of the gate, and we quickly turned the match around thanks to a 15th minute pick-and-drive from prop forward Sione Tu’ihalamaka, who single-handedly broke through the Raptors defense for the opening try. Glendale fought back towards the...

~ This weekend’s match is sure to be another thriller, as we take on the undefeated Glendale Raptor’s on their home pitch. Local San Diego establishments across the county are hosting an array of San Diego Legion Watch Parties, with cheers-worthy deals available during Sunday’s late afternoon game just for YOU. If you can’t make it and still want to tune in, here’s how you can stream the game on Sunday at 5 PM PT. Come out, show off your SD Legion pride and support world-class rugby with America’s Finest Fans! NORTH COUNTY Park 101 3040 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad, CA 92008 10%...

~ On May 8, USA Rugby shared some very exciting news for the San Diego Legion community and beyond. This summer, seven of our very own players (see full list below) will be competing with the USA Men’s Eagles team. This is an incredible honor. First and foremost, we extend a HUGE congratulation to each team member that was selected for this international match. Thanks to their talent, hard work, and leadership, they will be representing the USA and San Diego Legion on a global stage. Our team, specifically led by Head Coach Rob Hoadley, is committed to building a world-class rugby...

~ ALT LAKE CITY (May 6, 2018) – The Austin Elite was named Major League Rugby Team of the Week the league announced today. In their third week of regular season match play, Austin Elite Rugby notched their first win in a 30-17 victory over the NOLA Gold on Thursday evening. Austin (1-2), picked up a bonus point for scoring four tries in a match they only trailed in once en route to a win over NOLA (1-1). NOLA, coming off a Week 2 bye, took a good portion of the first half to shake off the cobwebs. Austin made...

~ Friday night’s thriller at Torero Stadium was a spectacle to behold. With a raucous crowd ready to throw off the stresses of the work week, the stage was set for a match that would become an instant San Diego Legion classic. Long before San Diego drove over the try-line in the final seconds, the Houston SaberCats raced off to a quick 10-0 lead, stunning the crowd to silence. The home fans’ spirit returned quickly, as San Diego shored their defensive line and countered quickly. Our team’s breakthrough came thanks to some beautiful plays between centers JP du Plessis (#12)...

DEAR SAN DIEGO LEGION FANS, Tomorrow is a very exciting day for San Diego Legion, as we make our national TV debut on CBS Sports Network. On behalf of the squad, coaching staff and front office, thank you for being a part of the inaugural season of Major League Rugby. We are all thrilled to make professional sports history and join America’s Finest City. Last Sunday, home opener game attendees had an opportunity to witness a very exciting, competitive match against the Utah Warriors, and we appreciate all the support in cheering us on to our first regular-season victory! We look forward...

  ~   San Diego Legion & Major League Rugby are joining forces with different media partners and making it easier for fans to watch the team’s inaugural season. Whether on the road or playing at their home turf in Torero Stadium, here are all the ways to watch San Diego Legion: Cable Subscribers: Channel 4 San Diego or CBS Sports Network; check your local listings. Satellite Subscribers: CBS Sports Network or ESPN3 (access the ESPN app on your TV/mobile device, select your provider and stream live content for any game); check your local listings. Online: U.S. residents may live stream all games...

  Rugby’s existence made its first debut in the town of Rugby, England, in the year 1823. Supposedly a man named William Webb Ellis was playing a casual game of association soccer, when he decided to pick up the ball and run with it toward the opposition’s goal line. The sport developed over time, leaving us with the Rugby Union, a full contact team sport traditionally played with 15 players on each side. ~ ~ ADVANTAGE LAW – Allows play to proceed after an infringement in the case of the non-offending team receiving an advantage. ATTACKING TEAM – The team in possession...

~ TORERO STADIUM — San Diego Legion put on a strong show in their first home match against the Houston SaberCats on April 7, 2018, scoring two sweeping tries and keeping the powerful SaberCats set piece at bay for over an hour. Houston, playing their 11th preseason match to date, showed late-match stamina to take victory, but it was our team’s tenacity in the first 60 minutes that energized a boisterous legion of San Diego fans. A quick start for San Diego Legion put immediate pressure on Houston, forcing the SaberCats to concede a penalty in the third minute. San Diego fly-half, Tadhg Leader,...

~ First National TV Partnership in Domestic Professional Rugby Major League Rugby (MLR) and CBS Sports Network today announced an exclusive, multi-year television partnership. CBS Sports Network will televise the inaugural season of the new start-up league beginning in April, 2018, marking the first national television partnership in the history of American professional rugby. CBS Sports Network will televise a 13-game package with 10 weeks of regular season coverage – highlighted by a Major League Rugby Game of the Week – and two weeks of postseason coverage in 2018, including the semifinals and the first MLR Championship Game. “We look forward...

~ Be a part of San Diego sports history and join us for our Season Preview! Come watch our Pre Season home game vs. Houston SaberCats Rugby at Torero Stadium! Location: 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, California 92111 5PM Curtain Raiser with San Diego State University vs. California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) Beer Garden opens 7PM Kickoff Houston SaberCats Rugby vs San Diego Legion Giveaways, half-time fun and delicious eats will be served to fans of all ages. A ‘Meet and Greet’ with players will be hosted prior to kickoff, where fans will have an opportunity to get their SD Legion swag signed. Gather your friends and...

AUSTIN, TX — The San Diego Legion made the most of their first-ever rugby match yesterday by earning a 32-24 win over the Austin Elite. Going on the road proved fruitful for the Legion who, despite a mid-match rally from the Elite, put on a four try display to score their first victory of the preseason. An attritional opening few minutes gave San Diego time to ease into the contest and find their feet. An early attack into Austin’s half saw the Elite pinged for infringement, giving Legion fly-half Tadhg Leader his first opportunity to kick for goal. Leader capitalized on...

  We’ve been training day in and day out. In the gym and on the field. We’re ready to compete. We’re ready to play. Together, we are Legion!    

2018 SAN DIEGO LEGION HOME & AWAY KITS!    

Coach Rob’s playing career started at London Irish in 1999, spending 5 seasons with the club and winning the Powergen Cup in 2002. In 2004 Hoadley moved away from London Irish to join rivals London Wasps. During his time at London Wasps the club won the 2004-05 Zurich Premiership, 2005–06 Anglo-Welsh Cup, 2006-07 Heineken Cup, 2007–08 Guinness Premiership.

A scrum (short for scrummage) is a method of restarting play in rugby that involves players packing closely together with their heads down and attempting to gain possession of the ball. A scrum is formed by the players who are designated forwards binding together in three rows. The scrum then ‘engages’ with the opposition team so that the players’ heads are interlocked with those of the other side’s front row. The scrum-half from the team that did not infringe then throws the ball into the tunnel created in the space between the two sets of front rowers’ legs. Both teams may then try to...

April marks the inaugural season for Major League Rugby in the United States. The past few weeks we’ve been training at the Exos facility and fields up in the Carlsbad area. Our intensive work on and off the field is preparing us for game one. We’ll see you there!