This week go behind the scenes with strength & condition coach Mat Skyner and performance analyst Nick Purvis and discover some of the hidden work the players are putting in behind the scenes. We also chat a bit about the USA's excellent win over Tonga and the shape of the MLR schedule for the upcoming season.

John Fitzpatrick

• Runs the Rugby Morning newsletter
• Hosts MLR Coffee Break on MLR Weekly (Rugby Wrap Up)
• Hosts USA Rugby Happy Hour on Twitter Spaces
• Twitter: @rugbymorning

Alistair Kirsch-Poole

• Writer/editor for Glorious Rugby
• Runs Tackle the Numbers
• Twitter: @AlistairKP

We talk about Old Glory players seeing action in college rugby and on the Military tour of England, and also dive into the solid win over Portugal by the Eagles - avenging the tie that lost us the spot in the World Cup.

John Fitzpatrick

• Runs the Rugby Morning newsletter
• Hosts MLR Coffee Break on MLR Weekly (Rugby Wrap Up)
• Hosts USA Rugby Happy Hour on Twitter Spaces
• Twitter: @rugbymorning

Alistair Kirsch-Poole

• Writer/editor for Glorious Rugby
• Runs Tackle the Numbers
• Twitter: @AlistairKP

We're deep into the quiet of the off-season, but there's still plenty to talk about: the US Military team is touring the UK, the Eagles face off against Portugal, and some fascinating stats have come to light.

Mentioned in this episode: https://narugbydb.com/breaking-down-the-number-of-overall-cards-in-mlr-2018-2024/

John Fitzpatrick

• Runs the Rugby Morning newsletter
• Hosts MLR Coffee Break on MLR Weekly (Rugby Wrap Up)
• Hosts USA Rugby Happy Hour on Twitter Spaces
• Twitter: @rugbymorning

Alistair Kirsch-Poole

• Writer/editor for Glorious Rugby
• Runs Tackle the Numbers
• Twitter: @AlistairKP

We lead off with PR7s announcing an All Star event in Portland, the 2025 World Cup schedule, and a smattering of continued intrigue in the MLR off-season.

John Fitzpatrick

• Runs the Rugby Morning newsletter
• Hosts MLR Coffee Break on MLR Weekly (Rugby Wrap Up)
• Hosts USA Rugby Happy Hour on Twitter Spaces
• Twitter: @rugbymorning

Alistair Kirsch-Poole

• Writer/editor for Glorious Rugby
• Runs Tackle the Numbers
• Twitter: @AlistairKP

A flurry of off-season wheelings and dealings have made for an interesting week in MLR, while on the international level there was the retirement of a all-time great and the end of this year's WXV competition.

John Fitzpatrick

• Runs the Rugby Morning newsletter
• Hosts MLR Coffee Break on MLR Weekly (Rugby Wrap Up)
• Hosts USA Rugby Happy Hour on Twitter Spaces
• Twitter: @rugbymorning

Alistair Kirsch-Poole

• Writer/editor for Glorious Rugby
• Runs Tackle the Numbers
• Twitter: @AlistairKP

With Old Glory's signing of Steff Hughes still fresh off the press, we talk to the Welshman himself about his long career with Scarlets, why he's moving to the US, and how to pronounce Llanfairpwllgwyngyll.

John Fitzpatrick

• Runs the Rugby Morning newsletter
• Hosts MLR Coffee Break on MLR Weekly (Rugby Wrap Up)
• Hosts USA Rugby Happy Hour on Twitter Spaces
• Twitter: @rugbymorning

Alistair Kirsch-Poole

• Writer/editor for Glorious Rugby
• Runs Tackle the Numbers
• Twitter: @AlistairKP

We talk about the brand new Old Glory Coach's Club with head coach Simon Cross, and get into his vision for rugby accross the DMV.

John Fitzpatrick

• Runs the Rugby Morning newsletter
• Hosts MLR Coffee Break on MLR Weekly (Rugby Wrap Up)
• Hosts USA Rugby Happy Hour on Twitter Spaces
• Twitter: @rugbymorning

Alistair Kirsch-Poole

• Writer/editor for Glorious Rugby
• Runs Tackle the Numbers
• Twitter: @AlistairKP

The Pacific Nations Cup has ended with a 4th place finish for the Eagles, but first Fitzy talks to Collin Grosse and Koi Koi Nelligan about their alma mater Army's match this weekend against Navy.

John Fitzpatrick

• Runs the Rugby Morning newsletter
• Hosts MLR Coffee Break on MLR Weekly (Rugby Wrap Up)
• Hosts USA Rugby Happy Hour on Twitter Spaces
• Twitter: @rugbymorning

Alistair Kirsch-Poole

• Writer/editor for Glorious Rugby
• Runs Tackle the Numbers
• Twitter: @AlistairKP