Photo Cred: Houston SaberCats



The Houston SaberCats have fired Justin Fitzpatrick. Justin helped lead the establishment of the SaberCats Rugby Club when they were first named the Houston Strikers.



Over the fall of 2017 Justin assembled the SaberCats team, identifying talent locally and abroad. Cornerstone pieces of his SaberCats teams were Sam Windsor, one of the top Fly-Halves in Major League Rugby, and Fijian Olympic Captain--Osea Kolinisau.



His teams the last two seasons were dominant in forwards play, building the best scrummaging "Tight-Five" in Major League Rugby. However, in Seasons 1 and 2 the play seemed disjointed overall with a lack of connection in game plan between the forwards and the backs.



Season 2 expected things to be different with an upgrade at the Scrum-Half position with the arrival of Santiago Arata, the young scrummie from Los Teros Del Uruguay. However, a foot injury has plagued his return to the pitch and the SaberCats have mostly struggled.



In the latter part of the season, the SaberCats did add weapons in the young Deion Mikesell, and the thumping Eagles' Center Thretton Palamo. Although they've showed flashes of their talent it has not shifted the results for the 'Cats. They most recently suffered a crushing defeat to the San Diego Legion 19-40 at home. Justin Fitzpartick finishes with a 3-16 record as Head Coach of the Houston SaberCats.



Paul Emerick is expected to be appointed Interim Head Coach for the remainder of the season.



Update: Paul Emerick has been appointed Interim Head Coach, search for a new Director of Rugby will begin immediately.



~Aaron Castro