Hounds Announce Sweeping Roster Changes Ahead of Week 3 Matchup

News Mar-14-2024

Hounds Announce Sweeping Roster Changes Ahead of Week 3 Matchup

Seven players set to make first start of 2024 season

Irish star Dave Kearney fit for selection, will make Hounds debut

First-round pick, rookie Noah Brown named to bench for first time in his career

CHICAGO, IL- For the third consecutive weekend of the new season, the Chicago Hounds are set to hit the road. The 1-1 Hounds fly to the nation’s capital to take on 1-1 Old Glory DC on Saturday afternoon at 3 PM CST. Head Coach Sam Harris named his roster for the Week 3 action, making sweeping changes across the 23.

Forwards:

It’s an entirely new-look front row from last weekend’s group that lined up against the Warriors. Loosehead prop Fred Apulu will make the first start of his MLR career on Saturday after coming off the bench during the previous two games. Tighthead prop Ignacio Peculo is recalled to the starting fifteen, making his second start of the year and third overall appearance. His Uruguayan-international teammate Guillermo Pujadas is named to the starting lineup for the first time this season. The starting trio from last weekend, loosehead Zurabi Zhvania, hooker Dylan Fawsitt, and tighthead Paddy Ryan, are all named to the bench for the pivotal conference matchup.

Canadian forward Mason Flesch takes control of the No. 4 shirt this weekend. Flesch started the previous two games at blindside flanker but he spent significant time in the second row during preseason training camp. James Scott slides over from No. 4 to No. 5, one of only two forwards to retain their starting position from last week. MLR veteran Brad Tucker, who made his Hounds debut from the bench last weekend, keeps his No. 19 shirt for this week’s action.

Conall Boomer is another player who made his Hounds’ debut from the bench last weekend. The young Irish flanker will get his first taste of starting action against Old Glory, winning the starting blindside flanker position this week. Mac Jones, who started 15 games for the Hounds at openside flanker last season, is set to make his first start of 2024. Vice-captain Luke White makes his third start of the year from No. 8 while Tinashe Muchena could earn his first cap of the new season from the bench.

Backs:

The scrumhalf options go unchanged from the previous two weeks. Nick McCarthy is first string while Jason Higgins will provide relief as a backup. Similarly, Billy Meakes is set for his third start of the year at flyhalf. Young Irish midfielder Caolan Dooley could make his MLR and Hounds debut from the bench after the versatile back earned his first roster appearance of the season.

The ever-reliable Bryce Campbell will look to set the tone defensively from the inside center position. The Hoosier product has been solid on defense over the course of the first two weeks, but the coaching staff will be looking for an injection of offensive fire-power for this game against Old Glory. Enter Cassh Maluia. The hard-charging center is making his MLR debut this weekend from No. 13 and fans should watch out for the former NFL linebacker’s game-breaking potential.

Nate Augspurger shifts from the right wing to the left wing for this week while fullback Adriaan Carelse retains his starting position at fullback. Irish superstar Dave Kearney is finally fit for selection and will make his Hounds debut from the right wing. The combination of experience, leadership, and finishing abilities should make this back three combination reliable on defense as well as potentially deadly on attack.

Rookie wing Noah Brown, who the Hounds selected in the 2023 MLR Collegiate Draft with the fourth overall pick, is named to the bench for the first time in his career. He could provide an impact in the second half if his name is called upon.

The History:

The Hounds only have one matchup on record against Old Glory DC: the first Major League Rugby game in the club’s history. DC took home a decisive win over Chicago, but both teams will look a lot different when they take the field on Saturday.