San Diego Legion prepare to host Utah Warriors at Torero Stadium. Photo: San Diego Legion
The Legion, who play for the third time this month, will be in high spirits following international call ups for eleven players as USA Men’s Eagles coach Scott Lawrence selected his side for the new 2025 Extended Player Squad (EPS).
The announcement comes prior to the beginning of the Pacific Nations Cup (a ranking competition) and will provide an idea as to how the Eagles will fare when the time comes to qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Former Australia 7s Head Coach John Manenti is no stranger to international rugby:
“It’s a proud day for our organization. To see so many of our players and our Academy players recognized at the national level is a testament to their hard work, the quality of our environment, and the direction U.S. rugby is heading.”
Utah Warriors also have a reason to celebrate as they welcome back legendary back-row Lance Williams to the franchise. Williams, who has been away for two years playing sevens with Team USA, will hope to make an immediate impact as the Warriors seek revenge after losing 20-27 on a last minute try in favor of the Legion last June.
If the history books are anything to go by, then this fixture will offer a sprinkle of everything fans love about rugby.
The last time Utah made a league visit to Southern California was in April 2024. Almost a year ago to the day, the Western side snuck past the Legion for the narrowest of points in a 33-32 victory at Snapdragon Stadium. This, however, will be their second trip of 2025 to SoCal – the two teams having clashed in a pre-season friendly match at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center in January.
Only six points separate Major League Rugby leaders, the Chicago Hounds, from the Houston SaberCats (2nd), Utah Warriors (3rd), San Diego Legion (4th) and New England Free Jacks (5th).
The Legion and Warriors both share 26 points and are divided only by Utah’s superior PD. A win for either team on Saturday could result in a second place finish come the end of the weekend.
In what will be a first visit to Torero Stadium in seven years for the Warriors, Head Coach and former New Zealand international Greg Cooper will take comfort from his team’s three victories from their last four. Manenti, on the other hand, has guided his side to just one win in the Legion’s previous four fixtures.
If this is your first time watching the Warriors for a while, then look out for Fly Half and Center D’Angelo Leuila.
The Samoa international, who signed from Moana Pasifika at the beginning of the campaign, scored 15 points in his season debut and has since been a key player, bagging 13 points last time out against RFC Los Angeles.
Well into his second season with the Legion, keep an eye on hooker Hugh Roach.
Putting the first points on the board with an early try against the New England Free Jacks last time out, the Australian has scored in big games this season. Roach’s try against Los Angeles was arguably some of the sweetest points the Legion have gained all season.
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