Legion Announce Starting XV vs Chicago Hounds
California Legion has named its Starting XV for Round 8 of the 2026 Major League Rugby season, set to face the Chicago Hounds on Saturday at Saint Mary’s Stadium in Moraga, California. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM PT. Watch live on ESPN+.
The fourth stop of the California tour of rugby brings Major League Rugby to the Bay Area for one of the biggest regular season matchups of the year. The top two teams in the MLR standings meet Saturday as California Legion and the Chicago Hounds battle in a major conference showdown.
The sides already met once this season on Sunday Night Rugby in Round 3, where Chicago defended home turf in a hard-fought matchup. Since then, the Hounds have remained the league’s hottest team, while Legion enters Saturday looking to defend home soil in a much anticipated clash in California.
Jason Damm Captains the side, with Gonzalo Bertranou and Billy Meakes named Vice Captains.
There are key storylines throughout the lineup this week. Ronan Murphy earns his first start for California Legion while returning to Saint Mary’s College of California, where he played collegiate rugby before entering the professional ranks.
Cyrille Cama also returns to the squad after making his California Legion debut last weekend in New England.
California Legion Starting XV – Round 8 vs. Chicago Hounds LIVE on ESPN+
1. Michael Scott
2. Ben Sugars
3. Tonga Kofe
4. Jurie van Vuuren
5. Jason Damm (C)
6. Lance Williams
7. Ed Timpson
8. Ronan Murphy
9. Gonzalo Bertranou (VC)
10. Coby Miln
11. Joe Mano
12. Billy Meakes (VC)
13. Cassh Maluia
14. Corbin Smith
15. Steffan Crimp
Secure your tickets and join the excitement on Saturday!
Reserves
16. Joe Taufete'e
17. Fred Apulu
18. Justus Tavai
19. Keni Nasoqeqe
20. Cyrille Cama
21. Alex Lopeti
22. Tas Smith
23. Cole Semu
Watch the full squad compete in the MLR's first match in the Bay Area!
Legion looks to carry momentum east and deliver another strong road performance.
Match Details
- California Legion vs. Chicago Hounds
- Live on ESPN +
- Saturday, May 16, 2026
- Saint Mary's Stadium, Moraga, Bay Area, California
- Kickoff: 1:00 PM PT
Broadcast
California Legion vs Chicago Hounds | 1:00 PM PT
US TV: ESPN+
And Monumental Sports Network
Canada: Premier Sports | GameTV
UK & Ireland: Premier Sports
New Zealand: Sky Sports
Sub-Saharan Africa: ESPN
Latin America: ESPN
Asia*: Premier Sports
*HK, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bali
