Anthem Rugby World Cup Carolina has officially announced their full squad for the 2026 Major League Rugby World Cup season. Headlining the group are former MLR number-one draft pick Conner Mooneyham and nine other capped USA Eagles. The most recent addition is former New Zealand Under-20 back Jordan Trainor.
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While the signings of back-rower Marques Fuala’au and scrum-half Zion Going were also confirmed shortly after Christmas. Founded just two years ago, Anthem is still searching for its first-ever MLR victory. However, with 10 USA internationals now part of the squad. Optimism is growing among fans in Charlotte, North Carolina, as the league prepares to enter a new era.
The forward pack features five capped Eagles: Sam Golla, Makeen Alikhan, Alex Maughan, Payton Telea-Ilalio, and Moni Tonga’uiha. The backline also boasts serious Test experience, with Luke Carty and Malacchi Esdale joined by Erich Storti, Tom Pittman. Besides Mooneyham, all set to wear Anthem colours in 2026. Mooneyham holds a special place in MLR history as the league’s first-ever number-one draft pick.
He was selected by the Dallas Jackals after his time at Life University and remembers the moment vividly. It was kind of like an explosion, my phone should’ve broken because of all the notifications, Mooneyham told RugbyPass in June 2020. It was totally unexpected. When they told me I was going to be the number one pick, I didn’t expect things to blow up like that, especially since rugby isn’t as popular as other sports in America.
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Rugby World Cup: Anthem Overhaul Roster with Influx of New Signings
It was an exciting time for my family. Mooneyham, who last represented the USA in a 36–17 win over Tonga in November 2024, is one of 12 players returning from last season. Overall, Anthem’s squad has undergone a major refresh, with 20 new signings arriving eager to make an impact.
Among the new forwards are Will Sherman, Campbell Robb, Johan Momsen, Seth Smith, Oliver Kane, Ramiro Gurovich, James Scott, Alessandro Heaney, Baden Godfrey, and Fuala’au. Returning forwards without USA caps include Alex Hernandez, Elias Garza, and Alejandro Martinez Tapia. In the backs, Junior Gafa, EJ Freeman, Ishma-eel Safodien, and Karl Keane return for another season.
New signings Jullian Roberts, Will Leonard, Jeron Pantor, Going, and Trainor complete the roster and have already generated plenty of buzz on social media. Trainor is one of Anthem’s most eye-catching acquisitions. The outside back brings valuable Super Rugby World Cup and New Zealand NPC experience, having previously represented Auckland and, more recently, Northland.
The 2026 season will mark Trainor’s fourth MLR team in four years. He has previously played for the LA Giltinis, NOLA Gold, and the Utah Warriors. Last season with Utah, he started all 16 matches at fullback and scored two tries in their Conference semi-final victory over Seattle.
Elsewhere, Bordeaux head coach Yannick Bru confirmed on Wednesday that scrum-half Maxime Lucu has suffered an injury. Speaking to AFP, Bru said the recovery timeline could range from four to six weeks.
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Rugby World Cup Final: Lucu Could Miss Opening Two Six Nations Fixtures
If Maxime progresses well, it will be four weeks. Otherwise, it will be six, Bru explained. That leaves the 32-year-old racing the clock to be fit for France’s Six Nations opener against Ireland at the Stade de France on February 5. If the injury sidelines him for the full six weeks, Lucu could miss France’s first two matches, including the trip to Wales following their clash with Ireland.
With Antoine Dupont back to full fitness, Lucu is expected to return to his familiar role off the bench, though he will face competition from Nolann Le Garrec for a place among the replacements. Lucu’s absence will be felt immediately at the club level. Bordeaux hosts Northampton Saints at Stade Chaban-Delmas on Sunday in a rematch of last season’s Investec Champions Rugby World Cup Final.
Lucu captained Bordeaux to their first title and was named player of the match. Both Bordeaux and Northampton have started this season’s Champions Cup unbeaten, collecting two bonus-point wins from their opening matches. Lucu played the full 80 minutes in Bordeaux’s emphatic 62–20 Top 14 win over Racing 92 last weekend, with the injury believed to have occurred shortly afterward.
As a result, Lucu will miss not only the Northampton fixture but also the following week’s trip to face Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate. He is also expected to be unavailable for upcoming Top 14 matches against Stade Français and Montauban before the Six Nations begins.
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