Major League Rugby To Hold Their First Ever NFL Style Draft!

The Major League Rugby organisers have revealed that the competition will have its first-ever Collegiate Draft to be held on June 13 and 14, 2020.

The move represents another positive step for the growing League as it builds towards the fourth season in 2021. The Draft will consist of at least four rounds and more if deemed necessary. The order of selection will be determined by the inverse order of standings from the abbreviated 2020 Season, with expansion teams placed at the head of it.

Once selected, teams will use a draft- and-follow approach and will have until one MLR season after the player’s collegiate eligibility ends, to reach an agreement with the athlete.

Collegiate players who meet the following criteria may declare for the draft:

• Must have played US collegiate rugby in the one year preceding the draft (between June 13, 2019 to June 12, 2020); AND
• Must have completed three years of college OR be at least 21 years of age.

These criteria allow for athletes who have completed their Junior year to declare for the Draft while continuing to play in Collegiate competition as long as they remain eligible.

Canadian collegiate players will not play a part in the 2020 Draft but are encouraged to enroll through the same form to signify their interest in playing for an MLR team.

“Collegiate rugby has a rich history in the United States with over 900 active teams across the country. The immense talent in our Colleges and Universities has shown itself over the past three seasons and is only poised to grow. We are truly excited about creating this pathway for the next generation of MLR players,” said MLR Commissioner, George Killebrew.