Anthem Rugby Carolina

Anthem Rugby Carolina

Founded	February 5, 2024 (2024-02-05)
Location	Charlotte, North Carolina
Ground	American Legion Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 10,500)
Coach	Agustín Cavalieri
Captain	Sam Golla
Most caps	Dan Hanson (31)
Top scorer	Cliven Loubser (57)
Most tries	Te Rangatira Waitokia (7)
League	Major League Rugby
2025	Eastern Conference: 6th Playoffs: DNQ
Team kit

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 (MLR). 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,^[1] in the aim to improve the 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.^[2]

Anthem RC finished the 2024 season 0-16, the third winless season in MLR history after the 2019 Austin Elite and 2022 Dallas Jackals. Despite the team's struggle, Anthem back Junior Gafa was named MLR Rookie of the Year,^[3] with scrum-half Siaosi Nai and left wing Cael Hodgson earning First XV honors.^[4]

Anthem RC announced the appointment of Patrick Stack as its first team president on January 14, 2025.^[5] 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.^[6]

The Anthem Rugby Carolina squad for the 2026 Major League Rugby season is:^[7]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union Ramiro Gurovich Hooker Argentina Campbell Robb* Hooker New Zealand Seth Smith Hooker United States Elias Garza Prop United States Alessandro Heaney Prop United States Alex Hernandez Prop United States Oliver Kane Prop United States Alex Maughan Prop United States Payton Telea-Ilalio Prop United States Sam Golla (c) Lock United States Johan Momsen Lock South Africa James Scott Lock England Will Sherman Lock United States Makeen Alikhan Back row United States Marques Fuala'au Back row United States Baden Godfrey Back row Australia Alejandro Martinez Tapia Back row United States Moni Tongaʻuiha Back row United States

Player Position Union Zion Going* Scrum-half New Zealand Karl Keane* Scrum-half Ireland Ishma-eel Safodien* Scrum-half South Africa Luke Carty Fly-half United States Tom Pittman Fly-half United States EJ Freeman Centre United States Junior Gafa Centre United States Will Leonard* Centre Ireland Erich Storti Centre United States Malacchi Esdale Wing United States Conner Mooneyham Wing United States Julian Roberts Wing United States Jeron Pantor* Fullback Trinidad and Tobago Jordan Trainor Fullback New Zealand

• Senior 15s internationally capped players are listed in bold.
• * denotes players qualified to play for the United States on dual nationality or residency grounds.
• ** denotes non-American players playing as domestic players (maximum of four per matchday-23).

• Alama Ieremia (2024–present)

The team's technical staff as of 2024 is as follows:^[8]

• Neethling Gericke - Assistant Coach, Forwards (2024–present)
• Elvis Seveali'i - Assistant Coach, Backs and Skills (2024-present)
• Brendan Keane - Assistant Coach (2024-present)
• Matoko Noudehou - Physical Performance Coach (2024-present)
• Zach Fournier - Lead Athletic Trainer (2024-present)
• Michael Sheridan - Assistant Athletic Trainer (2024-present)
• Luke Richmond - Analyst (2024-present)
• Darran Coleman - Team Manager (2024-present)

Anthem Rugby Carolina played 16 games in the 2024 regular season. They did not make the playoffs.

Anthem Rugby Carolina played 16 games in the 2025 regular season.

Anthem Inc

• Official website