Major League Rugby announced on Wednesday that it will conduct their first ever Collegiate Draft across the June 13 weekend of this year. Players will be selected from US college programs with ‘at least four rounds’ to take place, and possibly more ‘if necessary.’

Following Colorado’s decision to withdraw from the league, 12 teams will take part including both expansion franchises – Dallas and Los Angeles. The only team not participating are the Toronto Arrows who are committed to developing Canadian players.

Similarly Canadian college players will not be included with visa requirements making it difficult for non-internationals to be signed on professional terms in the USA. Those players are, however, welcome to submit their information if they wish to be considered for MLR contracts now or in the future.

The criteria for inclusion requires athletes to have played US collegiate rugby during the year prior to the draft, and must have either completed their junior year or reached the age of 21. Players who are selected can continue to play for their school in their senior year. MLR clubs must sign the player within one year of the end of their collegiate eligibility or they will become free agents.

While a foreign concept to professional rugby elsewhere, a draft is in line with other North American sports including Major League Soccer which runs a ‘Superdraft‘ in January of each year. The draft order will also follow a similar pattern with teams ranked based on reserve order of their 2020 results with the expansion sides going first.

MLR 2020 DRAFT ORDER:

1 Dallas / Los Angeles

2 Dallas / Los Angeles

3 Houston SaberCats

4 Austin Gilgronis

5 Seattle Seawolves

6 New England Free Jacks

7 Utah Warriors

8 Rugby ATL

9 Rugby United New York

10 NOLA Gold

11 Old Glory DC

12 San Diego Legion

An enrollment form is available here with a submission deadline of Sunday, May 17 for the 2020 draft.