RUNY RETURNS TO THE ROAD FOR A BOUT WITH THE AUSTIN ELITE

After a successful two game home stand in Brooklyn, Rugby United New York is back on the road, where they’ll look to make it five in a row in their matchup with Austin Elite Rugby. The Roosters are more than comfortable away from home, already racking up four wins in enemy territory. RUNY will look to replicate last week’s impressive performance against the Glendale Raptors, filling the highlight reel in a 31-19 victory that saw four different players scoring tries. New York now sits second in the MLR standings at 6-1, tied for the league-best record with the NOLA Gold.

Austin Elite is still searching for their first victory of the 2019 season, sitting at the bottom of the standings at 0-8. After suffering a 1 point loss in their opener against their in-state rival Houston SaberCats, five of their next six losses were by eight or more points, including consecutive blowouts at the hands of San Diego and Glendale. Things may be looking up for Austin however, as the Elite almost broke through last week against the first place NOLA Gold. The Elite overcame multiple two try deficits to take a late 31-28 lead, before NOLA’s final try at the whistle sealed a gutting 35-31 defeat. The improving Austin squad is surely hungry to earn the team’s first win in front of their home fans. Austin will be counting on Soheyl Jaoudat for offensive production – Jaoudat’s three tries this season are good enough for eighth on the MLR leaderboard.

Four Roosters were named to the MLR Team of the Week: Paddy Ryan with a 100% tackle completion rate, Mike Petrie with ten tackles, Mark O’Keefe with two pivotal tries, and The Butcher Dylan Fawsitt with a try and sixteen tackles. Fawsitt notched Player of the Week honors as well, and will look to continue to overpower the competition in Austin and add to his outstanding tally of 5 tries, tied for the second best mark in the league.

Also keep an eye on Michael St. Claire to build on last week’s performance, as the local legend will look to better the 1 try (his first of the season), 12 tackles, and 148 ball carry meters he turned in against Glendale. Replacing the injured Will Leonard, St. Claire was an absolute force on the pitch acting as the weapon of choice through the backs and ensuring Glendale’s back three couldn’t fire up on defense with an imposing 12 tackles. As our man of the match St. Claire was deprived of a spot on the MLR’s ‘First XV of the Week.’ Not one to care for these sorts of accolades however, St. Claire is much more excited by the win he helped his team to achieve and is already locked in for our next matchup.

RUNY may be away from home, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need your support. Keep the energy going and join your fellow Rooster Boosters for the RUNY watch party at the Pig ‘n Whistle. Be there in RUNY colors at 1PM for the 2PM kickoff to support the team, score some gear, and win some tickets. Stuck at home or on the go? No problem! Catch coverage of the MLR Game of the Week on CBSSN or stream live on ESPN+. With one away game, then a bye now is the perfect time to get your RUNY merchandise and tickets for our upcoming home games!