# Anthem Rugby Carolina

Anthem Rugby Carolina, shortened to Anthem RC, is an American professional rugby union team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, that competes in Major League Rugby (MLR). The team was founded in 2024, and began to play during the 2024 season. Unlike other MLR teams, Anthem RC is funded by governing bodies, USA Rugby and World Rugby, in the aim to improve the USA Eagles so they may qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, and be competitive for the US-hosted 2031 Rugby World Cup.

## Players and personnel
### Current squad

The Anthem Rugby Carolina squad for the 2025 Major League Rugby season is:
Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.
| Player | Position | Union |
| Ethan Howard | Hooker | United States |
| Declan Moore | Hooker | Australia |
| Connor Robinson | Hooker | United States |
| Neil Trainor | Hooker | United States |
| Joe Apikotoa | Prop | Tonga |
| Stephan Bernal-Wendt | Prop | United States |
| Dan Hanson | Prop | United States |
| Alex Maughan | Prop | United States |
| Quinton Tindel | Prop | United States |
| Jake Turnbull (c) | Prop | United States |
| Shawn Clark | Lock | United States |
| Sam Golla | Lock | United States |
| Mikey Grandy | Lock | United States |
| Le’Donn Mathis | Lock | United States |
| Rhys Mitchell* | Lock | South Africa |
| Puna Vuli | Lock | Fiji |
| Makeen Alikhan | Back row | United States |
| Dylan Fortune | Back row | United States |
| Alejandro Martinez Tapia | Back row | United States |
| Michael Ma'afu* | Back row | Tonga |
| Albert O'Shannessey* | Back row | New Zealand |
| Graeme Pedegana | Back row | United States |
| Colin Turner | Back row | United States |
| Player | Position | Union |
| Carlo de Nysschen* | Scrum-half | South Africa |
| Karl Keane | Scrum-half | United States |
| Conor McManus | Scrum-half | United States |
| Ishy Safodien | Scrum-half | United States |
| Line Latu | Fly-half | United States |
| Cliven Loubser | Fly-half | Namibia |
| Watson Filikitonga* | Centre | Tonga |
| Junior Gafa* | Centre | Samoa |
| EJ Freeman | Centre | United States |
| Mateo Gadsden | Centre | United States |
| Erich Storti | Centre | United States |
| Tyren Al-Jiboori | Wing | United States |
| Cael Hodgson | Wing | United States |
| Conner Mooneyham | Wing | United States |
| Ashawnty Staples | Wing | United States |
| Jason Tidwell | Wing | United States |
| Jeron Pantor | Fullback | United States |
| Toby Fricker | Fullback | United States |
| Mitch Wilson | Fullback | United States |
* Senior 15s and senior 7s internationally capped players are listed in bold.
* * denotes players qualified to play for the United States on dual nationality or residency grounds.
* MLR teams are allowed to field up to ten overseas players per match.

### Head coach

* Alama Ieremia (2024–present)

### Technical staff

The team's technical staff as of 2024 is as follows:
* Neethling Gericke - Assistant Coach, Forwards (2024–present)
* Elvis Seveali'i - Assistant Coach, Backs and Skills (2024-present)
* Brendan Keane - Assistant Coach (2024-present)
* Matoko Noudehou - Physical Performance Coach (2024-present)
* Zach Fournier - Lead Athletic Trainer (2024-present)
* Michael Sheridan - Assistant Athletic Trainer (2024-present)
* Luke Richmond - Analysist (2024-present)
* Darran Coleman - Team Manager (2024-present)

## Records
### 2024 season results

Anthem Rugby Carolina played 16 games in the 2024 regular season. All eight home games were played at the American Legion Memorial Stadium.
| Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Location | Result |
| March 3 | New England Free Jacks | Home | American Legion Memorial Satdium | Lost, 13-46 |
| March 9 | New Orleans Gold | Away | Gold Mine on Airline | Lost, 34-19 |
| March 17 | Dallas Jackals | Home | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Lost, 28-68 |
| March 23 | Miami Sharks | Away | AutoNation Sports Field | Lost, 50-21 |
| March 30 | Old Glory DC | Home | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Lost, 32-46 |
| April 5 | Utah Warriors | Away | Zions Bank Stadium | Lost, 44-19 |
| April 14 | Chicago Hounds | Away | SeatGeek Stadium | Lost, 59-26 |
| April 27 | New Orleans Gold | Home | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Lost, 5-40 |
| May 3 | Seattle Seawolves | Away | Starfire Stadium | Lost, 29-13 |
| May 10 | Houston SaberCats | Home | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Lost, 15-38 |
| May 18 | RFC Los Angeles | Home | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Lost, 29-33 |
| June 1 | Old Glory DC | Away | Maryland SoccerPlex | Lost, 47-29 |
| June 9 | San Diego Legion | Away | Snapdragon Stadium | Lost, 34-24 |
| June 16 | Miami Sharks | Home | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Lost, 14-30 |
| June 22 | Chicago Hounds | Home | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Lost, 29-38 |
| June 29 | New England Free Jacks | Away | Veterans Memorial Stadium | Lost, 40-7 |

### Season standings

| Season | Conference | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Postseason | Postseason | Postseason | Postseason | Postseason | Postseason | Postseason |
| Season | Conference | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | +/− | BP | Pts | Pld | W | L | F | A | +/− | Result |
| 2024 | Eastern | 6th | 16 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 323 | 676 | -353 | 7 | 7 | - | - | - | - | - | - | Did not qualify |
| Totals | Totals | Totals | 16 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 323 | 676 | -353 | 7 | 7 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0 postseason appearances |