Rugby United New York


Rugby United New York, known as RUNY, is a professional rugby union team based in New York City that is a member of Major League Rugby. The team played an exhibition season in spring 2018 and joined MLR for its second full season in 2019. The team was founded by James Kennedy.

History

In its 2018 exhibition season, RUNY was led by former USA men's national team coach Mike Tolkin, and assistant coaches Bruce McLane, Andrew Britt, and Vili Vakasisikakala. The team's 2018 spring season consisted of matches against the Ontario Arrows and the Mystic River Rugby Club of Boston. The team played its home matches at Gaelic Park in The Bronx. The team played its first match on March 17, 2018, at Mazzella Field in New Rochelle, New York. New York defeated the Ontario Arrows by a score of 36–19. RUNY played its first match in New York City against Mystic River on March 24 before a sold-out crowd at Gaelic Park. New York defeated Mystic River by a score of 50–0.
Ahead of the 2019 season, RUNY announced that they had retained Mike Tolkin as the team's head coach, signed Kees Lensing as the team's forwards coach, and named James English as general manager.
On November 7, 2018, RUNY announced that MCU Park in Brooklyn would be their home field for their first full season.

Broadcasts

2019 home games were shown on SportsNet New York. Matt McCarthy, John Broker and Steve Lewis were the on air talent.

Sponsorship

Roster

The following players have been reported for New York for the 2020 season:

Season standings

Honors

All games in the 2018 season were exhibition games and did not count in the league standings.
DateOpponentHome/AwayVenueLocationResult
March 17Ontario ArrowsHomeMazzella FieldNew Rochelle, New YorkWon, 36–19
March 24Mystic River Rugby ClubHomeGaelic ParkRiverdale, Bronx, New YorkWon, 50–0
March 31Mystic River Rugby ClubAwayMignone FieldAllston, MassachusettsWon, 42–24
April 14Ontario ArrowsAwayYork Lions StadiumToronto, OntarioGame cancelled due to weather

2019 season

Exhibitions

Regular season

Post season

2020 season

Exhibition

Regular season

On March 12, 2020, MLR announced the season would go on hiatus immediately for 30 days due to fears surrounding the 2019–2020 coronavirus pandemic. It was cancelled the following week
DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
February 8New England Free JacksAwaySam Boyd StadiumLost 14-34
February 15Austin GilgronisHomeSam Boyd StadiumWon 49-31
February 23Rugby ATLAwayLupo Family Field @ Life UniversityWon 22-19
March 1Houston SaberCatsAwayAveva StadiumWon 31-23
March 8San Diego LegionAwayTorero StadiumLost 20-24
March 14Seattle SeawolvesHomeMCU ParkCancelled
March 22Toronto ArrowsHomeMCU ParkCancelled
March 29Old Glory DCAwayCardinal Stadium @ Catholic UniversityCancelled
April 10Rugby ATLHomeMCU ParkCancelled
April 18NOLA GoldAwayThe Gold MineCancelled
April 25Colorado RaptorsHomeMCU ParkCancelled
May 1New England Free JacksHomeMCU ParkCancelled
May 9Old Glory DCHomeMCU ParkCancelled
May 16Utah WarriorsAwayZions Bank StadiumCancelled
May 22Toronto ArrowsAwayLamport StadiumCancelled
May 30NOLA GoldHomeMCU ParkCancelled

Sponsorship

During the inaugural season, RUNY signed a partnership deal with Magners Irish Cider, the official drink partner and Bawnmore Irish Beef Jerky as the official snack partner for the 2019 season. They also partnered up with EVF Performance, the team's official gym and Motion PT Group, named the official physical therapy partner for the team.
SeasonKit manufacturerShirt sponsor
2019XBladesMurphy Kennedy Group
2020–presentPaladin SportsTBD