Captains Named for 2024 Season

CHICAGO, IL- Chicago Hounds Head Coach Sam Harris today confirmed the team’s captains for the 2024 Major League Rugby season. The Hounds will be led by midfielder Billy Meakes this year, with vice-captain Luke White assisting in the leadership group. Together, the duo holds over 100 MLR caps and logged over 7,000 minutes of action.

Captain Billy Meakes entered Major League Rugby in 2021 and has been one of the most dominant backs across the league since his arrival. He won consecutive Back of the Year awards in 2021 and 2022 and was named as a Second-Team All-Pro last year. During his first year in Chicago, Meakes started 14 games and logged a total of 1,125 minutes. He averaged seven meters-per-carry on 170 carries, gaining 1,154 meters on the season. Over the course of his career, Meakes has 41 caps and 3,620 meters gained on 476 carries (7.6 MPC) and he’s scored six tries.

Vice-Captain Luke White started all 12 of his appearances for the Hounds last season. The versatile forward enters his seventh year in the league after starting his career with the Glendale Raptors in 2018. He signed with the Giltinis prior to 2021 and spent two seasons in Los Angeles before joining the Hounds. He has 65 career Major League Rugby caps, won an MLR Shield in 2021, scored nine career tries, and gained 3,151 meters on 516 carries (6.1 MPC).

The pair are expected to have an impact on the Hounds’ 2024 season opener against the Miami Sharks this upcoming Sunday. Kick-off from DRV Pink Stadium is slated for 4:30 PM CST. Fans can tune into Marquee Sports Network or the Rugby Network for viewing options.