Ahead of Major League Rugby’s opening weekend, April 21-22, members of the rugby media cast ballots in the first-ever MLR Journalists’ Poll, ranking the existing teams in first to seventh place.With nearly 20 ballots casts, the media members showed a clear preference at the top and the bottom of the league – overwhelmingly placing Glendale Raptors first, Houston Sabercats second, and Austin Elite Rugby seventh.However, the remaining four spots were much closer in voting.NOLA Gold placed third, followed closely by the Utah Warriors. Fifth place was awarded to San Diego Legion while the Seattle Seawolves placed sixth.Poll organizers Earful of Dirt Podcast plan three more such studies, to be held mid-season, at the end of the regular season and after the league championship. The final poll will include questions of Coach of the Year, League MVP and an All-Star XV. Results from the next three polls will be released May 25, June 29 and July 13.If you are a rugby journalist and would like to be included in future polling, please contact EOD at earfulofdirt@gmail.com.1. Glendale Raptors2. Houston Sabercats3. NOLA Gold4. Utah Warriors5. San Diego Legion6. Seattle Seawolves7. Austin Elite Rugby~Corey Munson