CHICAGO, CA – Hard to believe that two weeks are already in the 2026 Major League Rugby rear-view mirror. And that mirror is a little blurry, as we still can’t say we know these teams. With that, MLR Weekly brought back the Power Pundit Prognosticators for expert analysis, and Chicago Hounds star Mason Flesch for a player’s perspective with host Matt McCarthy.
Full segment details below.
WATCH ON ANY DEVICE:
WHAT’S INSIDE & WHEN:
01:01: Rugby’s Best Recap
03:08: Pundit Power Prognostications
•With Rugby Morning’s John Fitzpatrick and 3X World Cup scrumhalf/ESPN+ Commentator Mike Petri
14:57: Featured Guest: Chicago’s Mason Flesch:
•Nicknames, including the “Haitian Creation”
•Anxiety over off-season unknowns/staying in Chicago
•Being part of Rugby Canada’s win over USA Rugby
•Motivation/Drive
•Playing with brother Noah
•His favorite NHL team
24:39: Picks of the Week from The Rugby Odds
25:34: College Rugby Corner with Pat Clifton of The College Rugby Show
• NCR Weekend 7s recap
• CRAA: Round of 16
• More qualifiers
PODCAST VERSION:
AND DON’T MISS… The critically acclaimed The Rugby Odds
NEW YORK, NY – Drama is flowing through Europe’s Champions Cup as the quarterfinals loom. Here in the USA, the new-look MLR enters Round 3 and teams/fans are trying to figure out what’s what. Down under, Super Rugby has key match-ups to consider. The Rugby Odds’ exceptionally eclectic TRO panel covers at all of the above.
THE PANEL:
John Bradshaw Layfield: #WWE legend & passionate rugby advocate
George Hook: Fearless Irish pundit with zero filter
Mike Friday: 3X Olympic 7s coach and tactical mastermind
King Gift Egbelu: Inventor of Words and rugby evangelist
Matt McCarthy: Heroic host holding it together
WATCH ON ANY DEVICE:
WHAT’S INSIDE & WHEN
00:55 Records
01:50 What Caught Your Eye?
• King Gift’s issue with MLR Co-President
• Layfield loves Benetton & Zebre
• Mike impressed by Bordeaux
• Big upsets across pro rugby
• Lucas Friday cameo
06:57 Player of the Week Nominees
• Louis Bielle-Biarrey
• Josh McKay
• Charles Ollivon
08:48 Grown A$$ Man Nominees
• Codie Taylor
• Josh Kenemy
• Johan Grobbelaar
12:30 Headlines With [George] Hook
• Farrell & Cullen don’t know a fly-half when they see one!
• Italy’s ascension
• Romania’s Rugby Dictator
Predictions:
19:14 Champions Cup
20:30 MLR
25:30 Super Rugby
26:05 Picks of the Week
PODCAST VERSION:
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Find All Here:
–Web: Rugby Wrap Up
–X/Twitter: @RugbyWrapUp @TheRugbyOdds, @MLRWeekly @Matt_McCarthy00, @CollegeRWU, @JonnyLewisFilms
–Face Book: Rugby Wrap Up
–Instagram: RugbyWrapUp
–YouTube: Rugby Wrap Up
–Reddit: RugbyWrapUp
–TikTok: RugbyWrapUp
–Podcast Platforms: @RugbyWrapUp
Tags: #rugby #ChampionsCup #TheRugbyOdds #JBL #MarcusSmith #LeinsterRugby #InvestecChampionsCup #MLR #WorldRugby #MLR2025 #ChicagoHounds #RugbyNews #USASevens #RugbyHighlights #SportsRecap #MLRPlayoffs #AmericanRugby #USARugby #MajorLeagueRugby #RugbyWrapUp #OldGlory #SixNations #WorldRugby #SuperRugby #Top14 #PremRugby #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #RugbyOdds #RugbyBetting #WomensRugby #PeytonWall # #RugbyUSA #MLRWeekly #RugbyHighlights #SportsRecap #rugby womensrugby #UtahWarriors #FreeJacks #SaberCats #BryanRay #JohnFitzpatrick #WER #WomensRugby #RugbyPicks #TheRugbyOdds #RugbyMorning #AmericasRugbyNews #RugbyWrapUp #OldGlory #SixNations #WorldRugby #SuperRugby #Top14 #PremiershipRugby #rfcla #anthem #Utahwarriors #HoustonSaberCats #LegacyCup #rugbyleague #sports #footy #MajorLeagueRugby #MLR #Rugby #SportsBusiness #RugbyUnion #MLRWeekly