Anthem Rugby Carolina


Anthem Rugby Carolina, shortened to Anthem RC, is an American professional rugby union team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, that competes in Major League Rugby. The team was founded in 2024, and began to play during the 2024 season. Unlike other MLR teams, Anthem RC is funded by governing bodies, USA Rugby and World Rugby, in the aim to improve the United States men's national [rugby union team|USA Eagles] so they may qualify for the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup, and be competitive for the US-hosted 2031 Rugby World Cup.

History

Anthem RC finished the 2024 season 0-16, the third winless season in MLR history after the 2019 [Major League Rugby season#Regular season|2019 Austin Elite] and 2022 Dallas Jackals. Despite the team's struggle, Anthem back Junior Gafa was named MLR Rookie of the Year, with scrum-half Siaosi Nai and left wing Cael Hodgson earning First XV honors.
Anthem RC announced the appointment of Patrick Stack as its first team president on January 14, 2025. On March 31, 2025, Anthem RC became the first team in MLR history to field a roster entirely composed of domestic players in 25-17 loss to the Seattle Seawolves.

Players and personnel

Current squad

The Anthem Rugby Carolina squad for the 2026 Major League Rugby season is:
  • Senior 15s internationally capped players are listed in bold.
  • * denotes players qualified to play for the on dual nationality or residency grounds.
  • ** denotes non-American players playing as domestic players.

Head coach

Technical staff

The team's technical staff is as follows:
  • Neethling Gericke - Assistant Coach, Forwards
  • Elvis Seveali'i - Assistant Coach, Backs and Skills
  • Brendan Keane - Assistant Coach
  • Matoko Noudehou - Physical Performance Coach
  • Zach Fournier - Lead Athletic Trainer
  • Michael Sheridan - Assistant Athletic Trainer
  • Luke Richmond - Analyst
  • Darran Coleman - Team Manager

2024 season

Anthem Rugby Carolina played 16 games in the 2024 regular season. They did not make the playoffs.
DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
March 3New England Free JacksHomeAmerican Legion Memorial SatdiumLost, 13-46
March 9New Orleans GoldAwayGold Mine on AirlineLost, 34-19
March 17Dallas JackalsHomeAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumLost, 28-68
March 23Miami SharksAwayAutoNation Sports FieldLost, 50-21
March 30Old Glory DCHomeAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumLost, 32-46
April 5Utah WarriorsAwayZions Bank StadiumLost, 44-19
April 14Chicago HoundsAwaySeatGeek StadiumLost, 59-26
April 27New Orleans GoldHomeAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumLost, 5-40
May 3Seattle SeawolvesAwayStarfire StadiumLost, 29-13
May 10Houston SaberCatsHomeAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumLost, 15-38
May 18Rugby [Football Club Los Angeles|RFC Los Angeles]HomeAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumLost, 29-33
June 1Old Glory DCAwayMaryland SoccerPlexLost, 47-29
June 9San Diego LegionAwaySnapdragon StadiumLost, 34-24
June 16Miami SharksHomeAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumLost, 14-30
June 22Chicago HoundsHomeAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumLost, 29-38
June 29New England Free JacksAwayVeterans [Memorial Stadium (Quincy, Massachusetts)|Veterans Memorial Stadium]Lost, 40-7

2025 season

Anthem Rugby Carolina played 16 games in the 2025 regular season.
DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
February 15NOLA GoldAwayGold Mine on AirlineLost, 35-14
February 21San Diego LegionHomeAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumLost, 52-5
February 28Miami SharksHomeMecklenburg County SportsplexLost, 32-31
March 8Old Glory DCAwayMaryland SoccerPlexLost, 26-22
March 22Houston SaberCatsHomeAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumLost, 46-45
March 29Seattle SeawolvesAwayStarfire StadiumLost, 25-17
April 5NOLA GoldHomeAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumLost, 33-19
April 13Chicago HoundsAwaySeatGeek StadiumLost, 28-20
April 18New England Free JacksHomeAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumLost, 26-6
April 23Seattle SeawolvesHomeMecklenburg County SportsplexLost, 60-19
April 27Miami SharksAwayBaptist Health Community FieldLost, 31-5
May 10RFCLAAwayWallis Annenberg StadiumLost, 45-17
May 18Old Glory DCHomeAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumLost, 41-19
May 24Chicago HoundsHomeAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumLost, 33-19
May 30Utah WarriorsAwayZions Bank StadiumLost, 31-10
June 8Houston SaberCatsAwaySaberCats StadiumLost, 26-14