Chicago Adds 6’7″ Lock to the Roster

CHICAGO, I.L.- The Chicago Hounds signed lock George Merrick, the club announced today. The Englishman makes the move to Chicago from French Pro D2 side Union Sportive Carcassonnaise.

Merrick, 6-foot-7 and 278 pounds, joined the Harlequins Academy in 2011. The towering lock helped the England Under-20 team win the Six Nations Grand Slam the following year. He went on to represent his home country in the Junior World Cup that same year.

In 2013, Merrick made his senior debut with the Harlequins. He appeared in nine contests across the Premiership, Heineken Cup, and European Challenge Cup, and started three of those games. During the 2014-2015 season, Merrick made six more appearances for the club with one start.

He became a mainstay in the roster during the 2015-2016 season and made 12 starts in his 19 contests for the Harlequins. Merrick scored his first try for the London-based club that season. He earned another 24 caps the following season and added another try and 17 starts to his tally.

Merrick earned 42 more caps for the Harlequins over the next two seasons. He became a Harlequin centurion during the 2018-2019 season and scored the third try of his professional career that season.

Prior to the 2019-2020 season, Merrick moved to France and joined Top 14 club Clermont. He appeared in 11 contests for the squad before opting to move back to the Premiership the next season. Merrick signed with the Worcester Warriors ahead of the 2020-2021 campaign.

The following season, the lock signed on with fellow Premiership side Newcastle Falcons. He spent the 2021-2022 season with the Falcons and returned for the 2022-2023 slate. Merrick opted to return to France later in 2023 and joined Carcassonnaise.

The lock brings over 120 Premiership caps to the Hounds’ camp and will add much-needed height to the forward pack. An experienced lineout-caller, Merrick is expected to compete for a starting roster spot upon his arrival in Chicago.

To date, the Chicago Hounds announced the following players for the 2024 Major League Rugby season:

• Nick McCarthy, scrumhalf
• Ben Landry, lock/flanker
• Dave Kearney, wing
• Bryce Campbell, center*
• Zurabi Zhvania, prop
• Billy Meakes, center*
• Julian Dominguez, wing*
• George Merrick, lock

Star denotes re-signed player.