Sacramento Express

The Sacramento Express were a professional American rugby union team that played in the short lived PRO Rugby competition. They were based in Sacramento, California, and played their home games at Bonney Field.

Sacramento Express
Full nameSacramento Express
UnionUSA Rugby
Founded2016
Disbanded2017
LocationSacramento, California, U.S.
Ground(s)Bonney Field (Capacity: 11,440)
Coach(es)Luke Gross
League(s)PRO Rugby
1st kit
2nd kit

History

In early November 2015, PRO Rugby launched its Facebook page and scheduled an announcement for November 9, 2015.[1] On November 9, 2015, PRO Rugby made an official announcement outlining its plans and a framework for the competition. USA Rugby affirmed that it sanctioned and supported the PRO Rugby competition.[2] PRO Rugby announced its first team, Sacramento, on November 18, 2015.[3]

In February 2016, Luke Gross was announced as the head coach of the new Sacramento PRO Rugby team.[4]

The league reportedly had begun extending contract offers to select players by mid-February. In early March, the league made its first official announcement regarding player signings when it announced that Italian international Mirco Bergamasco would be joining the Sacramento team.[5] Sacramento and other teams started convening their players in mid-March 2016 to begin training.[6]

On December 20, 2016 all PRO Rugby players received notice their contracts will be terminated in 30 days if progress is not made towards resolving disputes between the league and USA Rugby.[7]

Venue
Sacramento
Bonney Field
Capacity: 11,442

Current players and staff

Roster
For player movements before and during the 2016 season, see 2016 PRO Rugby season § Sacramento.

The squad for the 2016 PRO Rugby season:[8]

Sacramento roster

Props

Hookers

Locks

  • Rich Knight
  • Robert Meeson
  • Sione Sina
  • Matt Doubek

Loose Forwards

Scrum-halves

  • Joshua Holland
  • Jope Motokana
  • Chris Saint
  • Ronald Dwyer

Fly-halves

  • Harry Bennett
  • Alex Hodgkinson

Centers

Wingers

  • Rashad Harbor
  • Shane Moore
  • Jojo Tikoisuva
  • Fatai Vailala

Fullbacks

  • Garrett Brewer
  • Ryan Thompson
(c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped.

Coaching staff
PositionName
Head coach Luke Gross
Assistant coach Kevin Battle
Assistant coach Fred Waititi
Head Athletic Trainer Taylor Masten

Season summaries
C=Champions, R=Runners-up, W=Wooden Spoons
CompetitionGames
Played		Games
Won		Games
Drawn		Games
Lost		Ladder
Position		CRWCoachDetails
2016 PRO Rugby season
41034 / 5
Luke Gross
2016 Sacramento Express season

Leading players
SeasonsCaptainMost triesMost points
2016John QuillOlive Kilifi (3)Mirco Bergamasco (77)

Coaches
CoachTenureMatchesWonDrawnLostWinning Percentage
Luke Gross2016410325.00%

References
  1. "Pro Rugby Announcement Coming Next Week", Goff Rugby Report, November 4, 2015.
  2. "PRO Rugby Launches First Professional League in North America", USA Rugby, November 9, 2015.
  3. "It's official: Sacramento will get team in nation's first pro rugby league", Sacramento Business Journal, November 18, 2015.
  4. "Gross Picked To Lead Sacramento PRO Side", This Is American Rugby, February 4, 2016.
  5. "Bergamasco To Sacramento", This Is American Rugby, March 9, 2016.
  6. "US professional rugby a step closer as five teams begin training for kick-off", Guardian, Martin Pengelly, March 14, 2016.
  7. Down Goes PRO
  8. "PRO Rugby Preview – Sacramento". Americas Rugby News. Americas Rugby News. April 16, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
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