IRVINE, CA — Major League Rugby returned with a bang this weekend — and with it came a historic breakthrough. Anthem RC finally got off the schneid, snapping a 32-match losing streak with a landmark victory over the California Legion. With that, MLR Weekly welcomes Anthem leader Sam Golla to discuss with host Matt McCarthy what the victory means inside the locker room, how the team weathered the difficult early stretch, and why the program’s long-term trajectory is encouraging.
Also joining the show:
- John Fitzpatrick with Rugby Morning’s Coffee Break
- Pat Clifton on the College Rugby Corner
Full segment details below.
WATCH ON ANY DEVICE:
WHAT’S INSIDE & WHEN:
00:57 — Rugby’s Best Recap
02:19 — Rugby Morning’s Coffee Break with John Fitzpatrick
- Anthem RC’s milestone breakthrough and what it means for league development
- Early matchup projections across Major League Rugby
06:44 — Feature Interview: Sam Golla (Anthem RC)
- Anthem’s evolving identity and growing confidence
- Lessons learned during a difficult inaugural stretch
- Leadership expectations within a young roster
- The importance of the Anthem–USA Rugby development connection
- Commitment to long-term program growth
21:46 — Picks of the Week from The Rugby Odds
22:31 — College Rugby Corner with Pat Clifton (The College Rugby Show)
- NCR Weekend 7s recap
- CRAA: Cal defeats St. Mary’s convincingly
- Additional playoff qualifiers taking shape
PODCAST VERSION:
AND DON’T MISS… The critically acclaimed The Rugby Odds
NEW YORK, NY – This week marks the return of the European Champions Cup (which has South African teams in it). The weekend also features an abridged round of Super Rugby, Japan Rugby League One and all six MLR teams going at it for the first time in this profoundly different league. The Rugby Odds’ exceptionally eclectic TRO panel hits all of the above.
THE PANEL:
John Bradshaw Layfield: #WWE legend & passionate rugby advocate
George Hook: Fearless Irish pundit with zero filter
Mike Friday: 3X Olympic 7s coach and tactical mastermind
King Gift Egbelu: Inventor of Words and rugby evangelist
Matt McCarthy: Heroic host holding it together
WATCH ON ANY DEVICE:
WHAT’S INSIDE & WHEN
00:55 Records
01:31 John goes viral!
02:08 What Caught Your Eye?
• MLR’s Anthemn Wins
• Ankle-breaking Bulls
• Premiership pizazz
• Etzebeth vs George Foreman
05:25 Player of the Week Nominees
• Chris Smith
• Fehi Fineanganofo
• Thomas Ramos
• Gift’s write-in candidate
07:47 Grown A$$ Man Nominees
• Ethan Roos
• Will Sherman
• Nathan Jibulu
11:02 ?? Headlines With [George] Hook
• European Champions Cup: What of it?
• TV versus Fans
Predictions:
20:17 MLR
23:29 Champions Cup
25:35 Super Rugby, JRLO
26:42 Picks of the Week
PODCAST VERSION:
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