PRO Rugby has revealed their player rosters for the inaugural season – sort of. A list of five squads has been released, with a total of 98 players spread between teams comprised of between 15 and 22 each. Of course that means there are numerous players still to join up, with an assortment of names sifting into the media now from various sources.

Included are 18 Eagles from the Americas Rugby Championship squad and one each from Canada and Chile – Phil Mackenzie and Nikola Bursic respectively. Previously announced foreign internationals Mirco Bergamasco and Pedrie Wannenburg are there, as is former New Zealand sevens star Orene Ai’i. The most notable inclusion, however, comes in the form of star winger Takudzwa Ngwenya, who will leave Pro D2 club Biarritz Olympique to play for San Diego before returning to France in the Top 14 for a new team, strongly suggested to be Brive.

A few notable names both confirmed and rumored are absent, presumably to avoid complications with visa applications. Canadian hooker Ray Barkwill is not on the Sacramento roster, where he will be headed in a couple weeks time, and former Eagles winger Colin Hawley is strangely absent from the San Francisco sheet despite confirming the move himself a month ago.

Ohio are expected to add Lindenwood’s Chilean no8 Sebastián Kalm and former New Zealand test prop Jamie Mackintosh in the coming days, while Ngwenya should be joined by old Biarritz teammate Kurt Morath in San Diego. The Tongan flyhalf has not featured in the professional rugby ranks since participating in the World Cup in October. Also reportedly set to be unveiled is Mils Muliaina, winner of 100 caps for the All Blacks. The 35-year-old fullback is set to be released early from his contract with Zebre to join San Francisco.

Another from Biarritz who could arrive in San Diego is former France sevens star Jean-Baptiste Gobelet, while Italy ‘A’ flanker Filippo Ferrarini has already left Zebre and is poised to sign with one of the new American franchises. Eagles captain Todd Clever could well be on his way to San Diego from Newcastle Falcons, and at least two more Canadians have been signed and will be unveiled shortly. Loosehead prop Hubert Buydens and centre Nick Blevins will take up the offer to head south to join San Diego and San Francisco respectively. While several Canucks had expressed interest, it appears visa complications may restrict their numbers for the first season.

Other Americans said to be joining up are Life West flyhalf Junior Helu and Glendale goal kicker Armandt Peens, the latter reportedly already spotted at practice with the Denver franchise. Several ARC Eagles remain to be named officially, including prop Demecus Beach, flanker Alec Gletzer, and fullback Jake Anderson. Lindenwood teenagers Lorenzo Thomas and Deion Mikesell have Junior All-American and school commitments, while Lemoto Filikitonga, Nick Edwards, and Matt Trouville are injured.

The absence of an East Coast side for season one could leave New York-based ARC trio Nate Brakeley, James Bird, and Luke Hume out in the cold, though Old Blue’s Ryan Matyas will move cross-country to San Diego. World Cup centre Seamus Kelly is another New Yorker thus far unsigned, and the status of flanker Al McFarland seems up in the air. Loose forwards Pat Blair and Aladdin Schirmer seem to be sticking to their Olympic sevens commitments, and there is no sign of big lock Brodie Orth as of yet. James Hilterbrand and James King could yet be added though their status is again unclear.

DENVER

The front row looks complete with four Eagles caps to choose from and Tonga ‘A’ rep Soane Ledger also in the mix. Ben Landry and towering Casey Rock should form an impressive second row, and there are imposing ball carriers in the back row with Zac Pauga, Junior All-American captain Hanco Germishuys, and former Springbok Pedrie Wannenburg all available.

Former national u20 star Will Magie returns from England to challenge veteran Ata Malifa for the chance to partner Niku Kruger at the halfbacks. A big midfield contingent, both in size and number, is a talking point in the backs. ARC duo Mike Garrity and Chad London look front runners, while versatile Kansas City standout Gannon Moore could find himself on the wing, or even in the back row.

NAME POS CLUB COUNTRY CAPS Baumann, Chris PR Austin Blacks USA 9 Ledger, Soane PR Denver Barbarians Tonga – Tarr, Ben PR Glendale Raptors USA 2 Turnbull, Jake PR Glendale Raptors Australia – White, Luke PR Glendale Raptors Australia – Fenoglio, Zach HO Glendale Raptors USA 17 Rams, Brendan HO Austin Blacks South Africa – Landry, Ben LO Seattle Saracens USA 4 Rock, Casey LO Glendale Raptors USA – Germishuys, Hanco FL Glendale Raptors USA 1 Pauga, Zac N8 Glendale Raptors USA – Wannenburg, Pedrie N8 Oyonnax (FR) South Africa 20 Impson, Bobby SH Denver Barbarians USA – Kruger, Niku SH Glendale Raptors USA 6 Magie, Will FH Old Albanians (UK) USA – Malifa, Ata FH Denver Barbarians USA 4 Al-Jiboori, Michael CE Denver Barbarians USA – Garrity, Mike CE Seattle Saracens USA 2 London, Chad CE Glendale Raptors USA 5 Pauga, Justin CE Glendale Raptors USA – Peens, Armandt* CE Glendale Raptors South Africa – Moore, Gannon WI Kansas City Blues USA – Croy, Dustin FB Glendale Raptors USA –

OHIO

A decent front row should feature Cam Falcon at hooker between Mackintosh and ‘A’ international Angus MacLellan. The second row looks positively monstrous with 6’8″ Nick Civetta returning from Italy and 6’11” Justin Allen in from England. Pierce Dargan has come back from Ireland, and Aaron ‘Spike’ Davis is one of several sevens standouts whose final position seems a bit up in the air. Kalm was also left off the official release but should join the group soon.

The scrumhalf battle looks very tight with two full internationals in Robbie Shaw and Shaun Davies, while Chris Saint is an age grade standout and a former Eagles camp invitee. Ahmad Harajly and Matt Hughston have both played in the back row but look more like centres in this group with Roland Suniula to help in the experience department. JP Eloff will pull the strings from flyhalf, and Alex Elkins is a football standout and a physical specimen who looks set to play on the wing.

NAME POS CLUB COUNTRY CAPS Mackintosh, Jamie* PR Montpellier (FR) New Zealand 1 MacLellan, Angus PR Chicago Lions USA – Falcon, Cameron HO New Orleans USA – Fawsitt, Dylan HO Life USA – Allen, Justin LO Chinnor (UK) USA – Civetta, Nick LO Medicei (IT) USA – Dargan, Pierce FL Clontarf (IR) USA – Davis, Aaron FL Columbus USA – Joseph, Chad FL Dallas RFC Australia – Malcolm, Peter FL Wheeling Jesuit USA – Kalm, Sebastián* N8 Lindenwood Chile – Davies, Shaun SH Life USA 1 Saint, Chris SH Potomac Exiles USA – Shaw, Robbie SH Hartpury (UK) USA 12 Eloff, JP FH Chicago Lions USA 4 Howden, Taylor FH Columbus USA – Kunkel, Chris FH Richmond (UK) USA – Harajly, Ahmad CE Detroit Tradesmen USA – Hughston, Matt CE Charlotte USA – Suniula, Roland CE Chalon (FR) USA 17 Elkins, Alex WI Columbus USA – Hanson, Allan FB Wheeling Jesuit USA – Mizell, Zac FB Austin Blacks USA –

SACRAMENTO

Nothing shy-looking about the forward pack that contains ARC captaincy experience in both Olive Kilifi and Ray Barkwill. All-American prop Val Lee-Lo has a chance to take another step forward, and there is a lot of beef in the likes of Sione Sina and James Reddey, who both top 123kg (270lbs) on the scales. Former Eagles Kyle Sumsion and John Quill could prove a very strong combination on the flanks.

The halfbacks look a bit of a gamble with tricky Fijian scrumhalf Jope Motokana and tall Ireland-based flyhalf Garrett Brewer the most likely combination. There is a strong Pacific feel to the backline aside from Bergamasco, winger Rashad Harbor, and Ryan Thompson, older brother of injured winger Brett.

NAME POS CLUB COUNTRY CAPS Kefu, Toke PR Sacramento Blackhawks USA – Kilifi, Olive PR Seattle Saracens USA 19 Lee-Lo, Valdemar PR Seattle Saracens USA – Barkwill, Ray HO Castaway Wanderers (CA) Canada 30 Inong, Josh HO Santa Rosa Philippines ? Meeson, Robert LO Santa Rosa USA – Reddey, James LO Sacramento Blackhawks England – Sina, Sione LO UCal Golden Bears USA – Quill, John FL Dolphin (IR) USA 17 Sumsion, Kyle FL Brigham Young USA 5 Koewler, Ryan N8 Sacramento Capitals USA – Holland, Josh SH SFGG USA – Motokana, Jope SH Seattle Saracens USA – Brewer, Garrett FH St. Mary’s (IR) USA – Takiveikata, Pate FH Metropolis USA – Bergamasco, Mirco CE Zebre (IT) Italy 89 Qoro, Nemia CE Life West USA – Tavake, Kali CE Sacramento Blackhawks USA – Thompson, Ryan CE Tempe USA – Harbor, Rashad WI Dallas Reds USA – Tikoisuva, Joeli WI Metropolis USA – Vailala, Fatai WI East Palo Alto Razorbacks USA – Bennett, Harry FB Santa Monica Australia –

SAN DIEGO

There’s a long way to go in the forward pack, though they will have three ARC front rowers in Hubert Buydens, Mike Sosene-Feagai, and Joe Taufete’e. Big Chilean lock or no8 Nikola Bursic will give them some go-forward, and if rumours are true Clever will be a big help in the back row.

On paper the backs look the best in the competition. Morath and Tom Bliss are a quality halfback pairing for this level, and the outside backs are all internationals. Ryne ‘Pono’ Haitsuka is the only one without a test cap, but he has international sevens experience and great footwork. Ngwenya and Tim Stanfill provide lethal speed on the wings. Expect Mackenzie to play in the midfield, possibly outside Mike Te’o with Matyas at fullback.

NAME POS CLUB COUNTRY CAPS Buydens, Hubert* PR Castaway Wanderers (CA) Canada 43 Kalemani, Jeffrey PR Santa Monica Tonga – Taungakava, Sam PR Seattle Saracens USA – Sosene-Feagai, Mike HO Belmont Shore USA 4 Taufete’e, Joseph HO Belmont Shore USA 5 Bursic, Nikola N8 Craighouse Old Boys (CL) Chile 8 Zuberi, Jabari N8 Santa Monica USA – Bliss, Tom SH Ealing Trailfinders (UK) USA 1 Purdon, Charlie SH Santa Monica South Africa – Konrad, Kalei FH OMBAC USA – Morath, Kurt* FH Biarritz (FR) Tonga 30 Haitsuka, Ryne CE Mystic River USA – Mackenzie, Phil CE Sale Sharks (UK) Canada 32 Te’o, Mike CE Belmont Shore USA 4 Ngwenya, Takudzwa WI Biarritz (FR) USA 35 Stanfill, Tim WI Seattle Saracens USA 6 Matyas, Ryan FB Old Blue USA 2

SAN FRANCISCO

This group looks a bit of a mixed bag so far. Tom Coolican is back state-side with former u20 rake Codi Jones a solid backup, and youngster Siaosi Mahoni looks a very big prospect – figuratively and literally – in the second row. The brothers Tameilau – prop Maka and no8 David – should provide a lot of go-forward.

US-eligible Michael Reid is a good pickup at scrumhalf and should have one of the Kiwis outside him, with either Orene Ai’i and Martini Talapusi both capable at flyhalf or fullback. If the rumours are true Muliaina can be a great addition at the back, while Blevins will play a leading role in the midfield and the wings are strong with Hawley and Kingsley McGowan most likely.

NAME POS CLUB COUNTRY CAPS Latu, Patrick PR SFGG USA – Lolohea, Niko PR Life West USA – Tameilau, Maka PR Life West USA – Coolican, Tom HO Sydney Stars (AU) USA 8 Finau, Jacob HO Life West USA – Jones, Codi HO Cal Maritime USA – Colvill, John LO Life West USA – Mahoni, Siaosi LO East Palo Alto Bulldogs USA – Finau, Sam N8 Auckland University (NZ) Tonga – Tameilau, David N8 Life West USA 4 Ferris, Devereaux SH Life West New Zealand – Reid, Michael SH Spotswood United (NZ) USA – Ai’i, Orene FH Life West New Zealand – Talapusi, Martini FH Belfast (NZ) Samoa – Blevins, Nick* CE Calgary Hornets (CA) Canada 32 Haley, Michael CE Olympic USA – Hawley, Colin* WI Olympic USA 7 McGowan, Kingsley WI Trinity College (IR) USA 2 O’Hara, Jack WI Santa Clara USA – Muliaina, Mils* FB Zebre (IT) New Zealand 100

*player not named in the official release