Hounds Trio Earns Weekly First XV Honors

CHICAGO, IL- Three Hounds were included in Major League Rugby’s Week Eight First XV, the weekly team-sheet put out honoring the competition’s best performers from the weekend. Forward Ben Landry, center Billy Meakes, and wing Nate Augspurger earned selection.

Ben Landry, Flanker

In his third start for the Hounds, Landry added a pair of tries, including a full seven-pointer. He added eight carries for 31 meters (3.8 meters-per-carry) and beat one defender. In the breakdown, he finished the day with nine first-or- second breakdown arrivals. Defensively, Landry completed three of his four tackle attempts. The flanker also added a lineout take to his stat sheet.

Billy Meakes, Center

The Hounds’ captain finished week eight with 13 carries for 111 meters (8.5 MPC), a new season-high mark. He beat a pair of defenders and completed seven of his eight tackle attempts. This is Meakes’ second inclusion in MLR’s weekly First XV, the center earned selection to the list in week six as well.

Nate Augspurger, Wing

The 2023 MLR Back of the Year scored a hat trick in Sunday’s contest vs Los Angeles, bringing his try-total to four on the season. Augspurger ran for 122 meters on nine carries (13.5 MPC), a single-game high for 2024. Aditionally, the wing beat seven defenders and added three clean line-breaks to his game log as well. On defense, Augspurger completed six of his nine tackle attempts, including a dominant tackle.