The California Legion are a professional rugby union team based in Southern California that competes in Major League Rugby (MLR). The team was established in July 2025 following a merger between two former Southern Californian MLR teams: San Diego Legion and Rugby Football Club Los Angeles. The team began play in the 2026 Major League Rugby.
History During the months after the 2025 Major League Rugby season four teams from across the league had merged or disbanded. Beginning with the July 30 announcement of a merger between San Diego Legion and Rugby Football Club Los Angeles of Southern California, the same day New Orleans Gold announced it would not take part in the 2026 season. Less than two months later, in September 2025 another MLR franchise, the Houston Sabercats, also announced they would not be taking part in the 2026 season.
The San Diego Legion, for which the California Legion's logo is based on, were a foundation team for MLR. During their tenure they achieved one conference title, and made two Championship Final appearances (2019, 2023). The Rugby Football Club Los Angeles was established in late 2023 after being relocated from Atlanta.
The California Legion made their on-field debut on March 28, 2026, losing to Anthem Rugby Carolina 39-26 at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, California. California would win their first game the following week over the New England Free Jacks 45-3. The Legion would finish their inaugural season with a record of five wins and five losses, finishing third in the standings and qualifying for the playoffs. In the 2026 semifinals, the Legion defeated the Seattle Seawolves 43-34, the highest scoring postseason game in MLR history to that point. Legion fly-half Coby Miln set an MLR record for points in a post-season match with 23. The Legion would lose to the Chicago Hounds in the 2026 MLR final. Scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou earned MLR Back of the Year honors for the second-consecutive season.
In September 2026, Legion head coach Stephen Hoiles departed the team to take an assistant coaching position with the New South Wales Waratahs. Three days later, former Fijian Drua coach and international referee Glen Jackson was announced as the new head coach of the Legion.
Players and personnel Current squad
The California Legion squad for the 2026 Major League Rugby season is:
Props
Hookers
Locks
Back row
Scrum-halves
Fly-halves
Centres
Wings
Fullbacks
Head coach Stephen Hoiles (2026) Glen Jackson (2027-present)
Technical staff The team's technical staff is as follows: Dave Dennis, Assistant coach, Defence (2026–present) Dave Clancy, Assistant coach, Backs (2026–present) Todd Thornley, Assistant coach, Forwards (2026–present) Sebastian Pearson, Performance lead (2026–present)
Records
Season standings SeasonConferenceRegular seasonPostseasonPosPldWDLFA+/−BPPtsPldWLFA+/−Result2026N/A3rd10505330277 +538282116069 -9Lost MLR Championship Final (Chicago)Totals10505330277+538282116060-91 playoff appearance
Honors
Players HonorPlayer NameSeasonRef.MLR Back of the YearGonzalo Bertranou2026
References