Houston Chronicle 01.11.19

Rugby’s SaberCats return to Houston on Friday

Already at 2-0 in preseason with wins over the Austin Blacks and the Dallas Reds, the SaberCats play their home opener at 8 p.m. Friday against Austin.

Friday’s game against the Austin Elite will be the first of five games the SaberCats, in their second season in Major Legue Rugby, will play at Constellation Field before moving to the new AVEVA Stadium on March 23.

The SaberCats are returning Australian international fly-half Sam Windsor, who led the league in total points with 103 and was named to the All-MLR First Team.

USA Eagle Matt Trouville and Fijian internationals Josua Vici and Osea Kolinisau, a 2016 Olympic gold medalist, are also returning after being named to the All-MLR Second Team.

The inaugural season of Major League Rugby featured a 10-week schedule, followed by a four-team playoff — the same format for European rugby union leagues.

This season, the SaberCats will play 16 games over a 19-week schedule. The regular season opener is Jan. 26 at Austin. The home opener (at Constellation) is Feb. 22 against Toronto.

Overall the SaberCats will be looking to improve on their 1-7 last place record from 2018.

By Peter Scamardo, Correspondent