Hounds Select Impact Forwards in Dispersal Draft

CHICAGO, IL- The Chicago Hounds announced today a series of roster moves after the Major League Rugby Dispersal Draft, which was held earlier this week. The club agreed to terms with a pair of impact forwards in Brad Tucker, lock / flanker, and Mason Flesch, flanker.

BRAD TUCKER, LOCK / FLANKER

Brad Tucker burst onto the MLR scene in 2019 with the Seattle Seawolves. He started all 18 of his appearances, helping lead the Seawolves to their second-straight MLR Championship Series Final win. The versatile forward completed 275 of his 301 tackle attempts, including eight dominant tackles. On offense, Tucker carried the ball 180 times and gained 1,138 meters. He finished the season with seven tries, five clean line breaks, and 16 beaten defenders. He earned First-Team All-Pro honors and was named the MLR Player of the Year.

Tucker featured for the Seawolves for the next three seasons before signing with New York prior to the 2023 season. He brings a wealth of experience to the Chicago forwards group: 49 career starts in his 57 appearances and over 3,600 minutes logged on the field. His career totals include 582 successful tackles, 2,119 meters gained on 350 carries, 11 clean line breaks, and 27 beaten defenders.

MASON FLESCH, FLANKER

The Hounds also selected Toronto flanker Mason Flesch in the Dispersal Draft, adding more depth to the new-look pack for the 2024 season. The capped-Canadian international signed with the Arrows before the 2021 season and featured for them over the last three seasons. 

The 24-year-old blindside flanker started all 14 of his appearances in 2023, registering 938 minutes on the field. He completed 105 of his 125 tackle attempts and was credited with a pair of breakdown steals. On offense, Flesch gained 412 meters on 77 carries.

Flesch brings 27 MLR appearances, including 22 starts, to the Hounds’ pack. His career totals include 189 successful tackles, 535 meters gained, a pair of line breaks, and nine defenders beaten.

Roster to Date:

To date, the Chicago Hounds have signed 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
• Tinashe Muchena, back row*
• Adriaan Carelse, fullback
• Mika Felix, prop*
• Jason Higgins, scrumhalf (via trade with San Diego)
• Justice Nkombua, flanker*
• Paddy Ryan, prop*
• Mark O’Keeffe, center*
• Janus Venter, hooker
• Mike Matarazzo*, lock/flanker
• Ignacio Peculo, prop
• Cassh Maluia, outside back
• Guillermo Pujadas, hooker
• Dylan Fawsitt, hooker
• James Scott, lock
• Nate Augspurger, wing (via trade with NOLA Gold)
• Brad Tucker, lock/flanker
• Mason Flesch, flanker

Star denotes a re-signed player.