The New England Free Jacks have their first Major League Rugby players. NOLA Gold flanker Matt Hughston has joined the Boston franchise ahead of their historic match against the Ontario Arrows in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Saturday, as has Houston SaberCats hooker Diego Maquieira.

Hughston was a key figure for the Gold in their inaugural campaign, playing every minute of the regular season. The 29-year-old is widely considered one of the best loose forwards in the USA yet to win an Eagles cap. He has previously represented the USA at u20 level and captained the USA South Panthers.

It’s a return to Boston for Maquieira, who was a standout at Mystic River before playing for the SaberCats in the 2018 MLR season. He was second choice to Lindsay Stevens at Houston, starting only one game during the season, and will be hopeful of more chances with some familiar faces around him.

New England will not officially join MLR until the 2020 season but will begin their exhibition campaign on Saturday. While their spring plans have yet to be revealed, they could opt to follow the Rugby United New York model by playing a handful of games and loaning players out for the 2019 MLR season.