From the outskirts of Edinburgh to Major League Rugby – Harris Rutherford is living the American dream

How does a lad from the outskirts of Edinburgh end up playing in the top division of American rugby for San Diego’s MLR side, the Legion?

Fly-half Harris Rutherford is just about as Scottish as can be. At 21-years-old, Rutherford has already represented his country at youth levels and most recently as a Scottish U20s international, playing in the Six Nations U20s Championship.

Swapping 25 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 degrees Celsius, Rutherford signed for the Legion in November 2023 and hasn’t looked back since.

“I’m really enjoying life in the U.S. This is my second year at the Legion. Last year was more like a learning year for me and I learnt a lot from the greats of the game around me. I really enjoy living in California.

The accent though, that’s a weird one! Sometimes if I’m at a coffee shop or something I’ll have to repeat myself a couple of times. Most of the time everyone understands it, which is great.”

Rutherford, who hails from Galashiels in the heart of the Scottish Borders, is living a life most could only dream of.

“A lot of people make assumptions about us northern hemisphere players, but I like to play more like a southern hemisphere player.”

”Now in his second season with the Legion, the Scot is eligible to play in California through his maternal grandfather, American born Dave Wood.

“When I was playing with the Scotland Under 20’s, I found out my grandad was born in America. I had no clue until about the age of 19 years old.

“I remember reaching out to my agent who looked over to the avenue of playing in the MLR and then I was fortunate enough to get a contract with San Diego. I have my agent and my grandpa to thank for that one.

“He’s passed away now, but I remember when I was quite young I kicked the rugby ball around with him in the back garden. He was the grandad on my mum’s side and so loved football and rugby. My dad’s side has always been rugby though and everyone in the family plays. My grandad is definitely one of my inspirations.”

British fly-halves are all the rage as players like Marcus Smith continue to make rugby fashionable on the world stage. Rutherford, however, at 6 foot 3 inches and roughly 96 kilograms, is not your everyday first five-eighth.

“I really look up to players like Dan Carter, Finn Russell and Marcus Smith. The players with the ability to kick and have that flare, that X factor.

“I’m a bigger ten than most who are not quite as tall. I pride myself on my offload game and getting the ball to the line. Scanning the spaces and seeing things that maybe others don’t see.

“A lot of people make assumptions about us northern hemisphere players, but I like to play more like a southern hemisphere player.”

Rutherford would not be the first Scot to play for the USA Eagles.

You could take a trip back through memory lane and to 2000 where Scottish born prop Paul Still played against Scotland for the Eagles at Murrayfield. Just like his predecessors, Rutherford aims to represent the United States on the international stage.

“The competitiveness out here has surprised me. All the teams in this league could go on and win the Shield. You see results where teams beat other teams that you just wouldn’t expect. I feel like it’s a very open playing field and those levels of competitiveness makes everyone want to kick on and be that team on top. The MLR is an open league this year.

“Growing up, the goal for me was to play for Scotland. From a young age I wanted to get a cap for Scotland, but things change and now I’m open to playing for either [Scotland or the Eagles].

“If the opportunity comes up, I would definitely jump at the chance to play for the Eagles.”

Just as in the UK where Rutherford worked under coaches including Scottish legend Ross Ford, the Scot has been treated to top draw guidance from the likes of All Blacks icon Ma’a Nonu and Legion boss John Manenti.

The old adage of class being permanent, whilst form remains temporary, could not be more relevant for the Legion right now. For the first time in their history, the San Diego side have lost their last four games. Just a few weeks ago, the SoCal outfit were five games unbeaten.

At the helm of the Legion side facing RFC Los Angeles in the Cali Cup game this weekend is the former Australia 7s Head Coach, Manenti. With a calming, reassuring and firm aura, the World Rugby SVNS winner has played a key part in Rutherford’s development.

“I have always had a really good coaching environment around me and I really enjoy playing under John,” Rutherford explained.

“He’s a more old school coach and he believes in hard work and putting yourself out there. I’ve enjoyed training with the whole group.

“Going into the season we felt really confident and it showed after our first five games. I think it just comes down to a dip in form recently and a need to go back to basics. We’ve been a bit frustrated and things haven’t been going our way. Whether that’s a wrong pass or a wrong ball, it comes down to the small details and the one percenters that if we can get right, the results will come.

“John has a motto – be brilliant at basics. I think we need to get back on that page and get those basics right.

“The Cali Cup is always a competitive game and whether home or away, it’s always a good crowd. It’s one both teams want to win and I imagine that going up there will be an environment we haven’t played in front of yet. I back the boys and I’m confident we’ll come away with a win.”