Latham Reveals Roster for 2026 Season Opener

CHICAGO, Il.- Chicago Hounds Head Coach Chris Latham today named his 23-man roster for the club’s 2026 Major League Rugby season opener. Chicago travels to Charlotte this weekend for a matchup against the Carolina Anthem (1-0), kicking off Saturday at 3PM CT from American Legion Memorial Stadium. Fans in-market can watch the game live on Fox Chicago+ or stream the game live on ESPN+.

In the front row, a pair of offseason acquisitions get the nod at loosehead prop and hooker, with MLR veteran Jake Turnbull and MLR rookie Theo Fourie set to make their club debut. They are joined by Hounds veteran Charlie Abel at tighthead prop.

It’s a new-look second row for Chicago, with another pair of players set to make their Chicago debut. Tomas Casares, a capped US Eagle that played with Miami the last two seasons, will combine with 2025 First-Team All-MLR selection Nathan Den Hoedt in the engine room. Den Hoedt recently earned domestic qualification status and was called into the Eagles’ wider player pool earlier this year.

Despite four players debuting in the tight five, the Chicago back row is familiar to Hounds fans. The first choice trio from a year ago returns, with blindside flanker Mason Flesch, openside flanker Maclean Jones, and No. 8 Lucas Rumball, the captain, rounding out the starting forwards. It is a special occasion for Jones, who is making his 50th appearance for the Hounds. He will be the first player in franchise history to do so when he takes the field on Saturday afternoon.

In the backs, scrumhalf Ruben De Haas is another player set to make his club debut on Saturday. The capped international will combine with fellow Eagle Chris Hilsenbeck in the halfbacks. After signing on with the Hounds late last preseason, Hilsenbeck quickly rose to first-string flyhalf on the depth chart. He finished the season with a First-Team All-MLR selection and set a franchise record for most points scored in a single-season.

The midfield will be led by 2025 Second-Team All-MLR selection Ollie Devoto from his preferred inside center position. He will have a new midfield partner on Saturday after pairing with now-retired Bryce Campbell for nearly every game last season, however. The 2022 MLR Rookie of the Year, Tavite Lopeti, is set to make his Chicago debut at outside center. The former Legion player signed with the team this offseason and enjoyed an impressive training camp.

Noah Brown will start on the left wing after primarily featuring on the right wing the last two seasons. Now entering his third year in the league, the Hounds’ 2023 first-round draft pick is expected to continue his upward trajectory after earning Second-Team All-MLR honors last season. In 29 career games, Brown scored seven tries and ran for 1,088 meters on 140 carries. He’ll combine with Mark O’Keeffe on the right wing. The Dublin-born, US-qualified spark plug on offense registered just one try last season and will be looking to get more involved on the score sheet this season.

Capped-Canadian international Brock Webster rounds out the Starting 15 from the fullback position. The 2025 Championship game MVP joined the Hounds after helping the New England Free Jacks to their third consecutive title last year. Considered as one of the key offseason signings, he continued to display his game-breaking ability throughout preseason training camp.

The reserves-bench has a good blend of experience and prospects looking to take the next step up in their respective MLR careers. Veteran forward Luke White, who is transitioning back to the front row this season, gets the nod in the No. 17 jersey. Up-and-coming prospects in Jackson Zabierek, hooker, and Koby Baker, tighthead prop, complete the front row substitute options. Brandon Harvey, another capped Eagle, and Jake Kinneeveauk, the Hounds 2024 Second-Round draft pick, are also expected to provide an impact off the bench.

Hounds veteran Michael Baska, a versatile player who can take the field at both scrumhalf and wing, will take the field from the No. 21 jersey. The team is rounded out with another pair of versatile players that can potentially make their Chicago debuts: No. 22 Reece Botha and No. 23 Santiago Videla.

While the Hounds enjoyed a Week 1 bye last weekend, Anthem were on the road facing the California Legion. Carolina walked away with their first win in franchise history and will be looking to carry that momentum into a big Week 2 matchup. The Hounds are 4-0 all-time against Carolina, with their most recent meeting on May 24, 2025, a 33-19 win down at American Legion Memorial Stadium.

Chicago Hounds Roster vs Carolina Anthem