NEWS

Round Fourteen Preview

WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER DIEGEL FOR THE RUGBY NETWORK | Photo by Paris malone

Utah Warriors at Rugby United New York

Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET | Watch on CBS Sports Network

Both teams are coming off of massive wins coming into this one. Utah notched its first win in franchise history over the San Diego Legion and put a serious dent in the team’s playoff hopes in the process. New York took down Atlanta to earn the season sweep and gain control of the East.

What’s at Stake: Both teams need wins to hold control of their respective playoff destinies. It’s that simple.

Bold Prediction: Give me New York at home, 31-28.

NOLA Gold at Toronto Arrows

Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET | Stream on The Rugby Network

NOLA Gold is coming off an important win to keep its playoff hopes intact. No one is statistically eliminated from the playoffs in the East yet, but it’s hard to see last place Toronto coming all the way back.

What’s at Stake: NOLA is basically in must win mode for the playoffs; the Arrows are quite literally in must win status.

Bold Prediction: New Orleans completes the season sweep to stay well within striking distance of a playoff spot. 26-18 Gold.

Houston SaberCats at Rugby ATL

Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET | Stream on The Rugby Network

Rugby ATL hosts the Houston SaberCats a week after having its six-game win streak snapped. Houston is trying to see what pieces will stick for 2022 after having been officially eliminated from the playoffs.

What’s at Stake: Atlanta needs to get back in the win column to hold off Rugby United New York for as long as it can. It remains on top of the East with a two point lead, but New York has the game in hand and a head to head tiebreaker advantage.

Bold Prediction: A new winning streak begins for Rugby ATL, 31-17.

LA Giltinis at San Diego Legion

Sunday at 6:00 p.m. ET | Watch on FS2

LA got back in the win column in a big way, blowing out Houston on Sunday night. San Diego let a costly one get away versus Utah and is looking to avenge a blowout loss to the Giltinis from earlier in the season.

What’s at Stake: A defeat would pretty much eliminate San Diego from playoff contention, especially if Austin and Utah both win. A Giltinis loss could bring Utah within striking distance of the top seed in the West, pending the games’ results.

Bold Prediction: Give me proud and desperate San Diego at home in front of its crowd for the first time since March of 2020. 41-38 Legion.

Austin Gilgronis at Seattle Seawolves

Sunday at 8:00 p.m. ET | Stream on The Rugby Network

The Austin Gilgronis visit an improved Seattle side a week after its most impressive offensive performance of the year. For the second straight week the Seawolves have done everything right but win.

What’s at Stake: An Austin victory could put it right back into a tie for playoff position, pending Utah’s results.

Bold Prediction: Austin gets the road victory, 30-24.