Hounds Set for Week Seven Clash Against Anthem

CHICAGO, IL- Head Coach Sam Harris has selected his 23-man roster for the Chicago Hounds week seven clash against the Carolina Anthem. Coming off a win down in New Orleans last week, the Hounds have newfound confidence and could make up serious ground in the table standings with a strong showing on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 3 PM from SeatGeek Stadium. 

There is a lone change in the front row from the Hounds’ week six road win over the Gold. Tighthead prop Paddy Ryan takes the place of Ignacio Peculo, who is getting somewhat of a rest from the reserve bench this week. Charlie Abel, loosehead prop, and Dylan Fawsitt, hooker, retain their starting roles. Fawsitt scored two tries last week, bringing his MLR career score tally to a staggering 43.

Fred Apulu and Janus Venter will seek action off of the bench once again this season. Apulu didn’t make an appearance last week, but Venter scored a try in his MLR debut.

It’s an entirely new-look second row for the Hounds. For the first time this season, neither Mason Flesch nor James Scott appear in the starting 15. In fact, they don’t even appear in this week’s gameday roster. The coaching staff opted for Ben Landry, making his second start of the season, and George Merrick, returning to action for the first time since Week 4. Reserves Brad Tucker and Mike Matarazzo are two versatile forward options that can play in both the second and back rows.

Lucas Rumball grabs the starting blindside flanker position for this week’s watchup. The Canadian national-team skipper started at openside flanker down in New Orleans. Mac Jones shifts down to the No. 7 jersey against Anthem after starting at No. 8 last week. This makes way for vice-captain Luke White, starting at No. 8 and earning his 71st MLR cap.

Scrum half Jason Higgins earned the starting scrumhalf role for the first time this season. The capped-Canadian international last appeared for the Hounds off of the bench in the Week Three draw against Old Glory DC. Through 61 minutes of action this season, the scrum half has completed 34 of his 38 pass attempts. Versatile back Michael Baska appears on the bench in the No. 21 shirt. The Lindenwood product featured off the bench at scrumhalf last week, his first time suiting up there this season.

There is one change in the midfield from last week’s win in New Orleans. Bryce Campbell is called into the starting 15 after missing out on selection the past two contests. He replaces Mark O’Keeffe at outside center. Flyhalf Adriaan Carelse will make his third consecutive start from the playmaker position. With Carelse at flyhalf, Chicago scored four tries in back-to-back games for the first time in the club’s history.

Captain Billy Meakes rounds out the midfield for Week 7. Meakes is coming off a Weekly First XV selection for his performance against the Gold, his first accolade of the season. Through the first six weeks of the season, the captain leads the Hounds in meters gained (382). Irishman Caolan Dooley earns selection for the second consecutive week and will be seeking his third MLR cap from reserve duty.

Julian Dominguez is recalled into the starting lineup on the left wing. This is the star wing’s third start of the season and fourth overall appearance. Dominguez scored tries in both of his previous starts this season: Week 2 at the Utah Warriors and Week 5 against the Seattle Seawolves.

Nate Augspurger is slotted to make his sixth start of the season from the right wing. The 2023 MLR Back of the Year is coming off arguably his best performance in a Hounds’ jersey during the week six win over New Orleans. Fullback Dave Kearney retains his starting position from last week, earning his fourth MLR cap. Rookie Noah Brown will be expected to make an impact off of the bench after starting the previous two contests against Seattle and New Orleans.

1. Charlie Abel (50)
2. Dylan Fawsitt (86)
3. Paddy Ryan (57)
4. Ben Landry (41)
5. George Merrick (3)
6. Lucas Rumball (59)
7. Maclean Jones (43)
8. Luke White (70)
9. Jason Higgins (36)
10. Adriaan Carelse (43)
11. Julian Dominguez (47)
12. Billy Meakes © (47)
13. Bryce Campbell (56)
14. Nate Augspurger (63)
15. Dave Kearney (3)
16. Janus Venter (1)
17. Fred Apulu (10)
18. Ignacio Peculo (6)
19. Brad Tucker (61)
20. Mike Matarazzo (28)
21. Michael Baska (55)
22. Caolan Dooley (2)
23. Noah Brown (4)