Esdale Signs with Anthem, Seawolves Still Without Official Return Signings as MLR Down to Six

Malacchi Esdale charges forward for a game-winning try against the New England Free Jacks on March 8, 2025. Image credit Malacchi Esdale/Instagram.

Anthem Rugby Carolina announced their acquisition of USA Eagles-capped wing Malacchi Esdale on Tuesday. Esdale, who played 546 minutes in 14 games for the Seawolves in 2025, is the third player to officially be departing from Seattle’s roster during the offseason after Cam Orr and Njabulo Gumede.

Despite just three starts on the season, Esdale filled an important impact role for a team that often came alive in the second half. One of four Seawolves with six or more tries over the season, he had an outstanding 7.92 meters per carry, second on the team behind Jade Stighling. Esdale’s incredible top speed produced some of the most impressive highlights of Seattle’s season, especially on Seattle’s home field, and it’s unknown where Seattle will look for another wing—though the avalanche of folded teams has produced a sizable pool of domestic talent to draw from.

And that, unfortunately, is Tuesday’s biggest story for Major League Rugby. The Utah Warriors, who had apparently failed to meet an extended deadline on a capital call, officially announced their cessation of operations on Tuesday morning. This was the first team contraction to occur after MLR’s official announcement that the 2026 competition would go forth as planned, and although the details are still murky, it does appear that Utah and the league were expecting an addition of funds that never came.

MLR, which had 11 teams competing in 2025, is reduced down to six: the Seattle Seawolves, Anthem Rugby Carolina, the California Legion, the Chicago Hounds, the New England Free Jacks, and Old Glory DC. While the 2026 season is by all indications still happening, the league—and pro rugby in the US—is in serious need of some good news.

Seattle is the last remaining team from MLR’s original 2018 lineup. With coach Allen Clarke in England with the US military rugby team, the Seawolves have not yet announced signings for the 2026 season, either returners or newcomers.