US Rugby Happy Hour

US Rugby Happy Hour

US Rugby Happy Hour, hosted by the dynamic duo of Bill Baker of American Rugby Rising and John Fitzpatrick of Rugby Morning, is a captivating blend of insightful rugby discussions, entertaining banter, and a celebration of the sport’s spirit. With their wealth of knowledge and infectious enthusiasm, Bill and Fitzy create an engaging space for rugby enthusiasts to connect and revel in the game’s glory. Whether delving into the latest matches or sharing anecdotes with special guests, this live show is a must-attend for anyone passionate about rugby, offering a delightful intersection of camaraderie and sports analysis. Guests have included head coaches Gary Gold, Rob Cain and Mike Friday. USA Eagles Joe Taufete’e, Greg Peterson, Kate Zackary, Hope Rogers, Christian Dyer, and Hall of Famers, Dan Lyle and Todd Clever. Major League Rugby stars Mitch Wilson, Nick Civetta, Connor Mooneyham and former MLR Commissioner, George Killebrew. Those covering the news too, including Brian Ray of Americas Rugby News and Wendy Young of YSC Rugby. Join us live on Facebook and Youtube (show days and times vary), or catch the Podcast replays right here! Follow @AmerRugbyRising on Twitter and @AmericanRugbyRising on Instagram for weekly guest announcements and direct link to the live shows. HOSTS: Bill Baker, an Emmy award winning editor and producer, has curated American Rugby Rising and Eagles Overseas Rugby since 1996, providing updates and news stories about USA Eagles plying their trade around the world. http://www.americanrugbyrising.com eaglesoverseas@comcast.net John Fitzpatrick is the brain behind Rugby Morning, serving rugby news everyday via email newsletters to rugby fans around the world. John@rugbymorning.com http://www.rugbymorning.com

Episodes

June 11, 2026 47 mins
Join us for an exclusive, high-energy breakdown of the upcoming Major League Rugby Finals returning to Chicago this June! First, on this week's National Maul segment with Martin Pengelly, Martin looks back at least week's National Maul newsletter interview with Alex Magleby, a 2026 season review, and what does he have planned for this week? Possibly profiling USA Eagle, Dylan Audsley and his social media ventures with Culture RFC...
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Get ready to rumble as the US Rugby Happy Hour kicks off with a retro flair, dropping a brand-new, 1980s TV-show-inspired introduction jingle that sets a high-energy tone for an jam-packed episode. Co-hosts Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick sit down with veteran rugby journalist Martin Pengelly, author of The National Maul Substack. Pengelly lends his sharp perspective to the evolution of American rugby media, sharing elite-level s...
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Join us for a unique "Happy Hour" as we explore the intersection of American rugby culture and the secrets of the sea. We kick things off with a custom introduction song that left our guest speechless, before diving into an engaging conversation with writer Martin Pengelly in our new segment, "The National Maul" about his "The National Maul" Substack, his passion for rugby writing, and his fascinating background covering American p...
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Get ready for a high-octane interview with USA Eagle #590 and Chicago Hounds fly-half Chris Hilsenbeck. We kick things off with a custom intro song—featuring a "boot made of steel"—that gets the man himself pumped for the pitch. Bill and Fitzy dive into Chris’s unique journey from being born in California to growing up in the rugby hotbed of Heidelberg, Germany, and eventually finding his way back to the U.S. to l...
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Get ready for the biggest weekend in American college rugby as hosts Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick dive deep into the 16th annual Collegiate Rugby Championship. We are joined by National Collegiate Rugby’s Pat Clifton and Zach Lanning to break down a massive field of 144 teams competing across eight divisions in Washington, D.C.. From the qualification process to "dark horse" contenders in Division III, this episode is your...
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In this episode, Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick sit down once again with USA Women’s Head Coach Jack Hanratty to recap a whirlwind opening to the Pacific Four Series. The episode kicks off with a custom blues-themed introduction jingle that pays homage to the musical roots of Kansas City and Chicago, setting a soulful tone for a deep dive into the state of American rugby. Hanratty shares his "front row seat" perspective ...
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In this episode of US Rugby Happy Hour, we sit down with the man who started it all as the first-ever Major League Rugby draft pick, Conner Mooneyham . We kick things off with a custom jingle that perfectly captures his "electric" speed on the wing and his status as a franchise cornerstone . Conner opens up about his grueling journey back from injury, explaining how a "reset" in his nutrition and physical therapy has him feeling li...
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In this episode of the US Rugby Happy Hour, host Bill Baker and co-host John Fitzpatrick sit down with USA Eagle #289 and Sale Sharks scrum-half Olivia Ortiz. As the team prepares for the highly anticipated Pac 4 series on home soil, Olivia shares insights into the squad's preparation under new head coach Jack Hanratty and the "yes" philosophy driving their exciting new style of play. The conversation kicks off with a look at the s...
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Bill & Fitzy welcome Rugby on ESPN Host, Will Hooley, New England Free Jacks' new GM, Todd Thornley, and MLR Co-President, Graeme Bradbury to preview the 2026 MLR Season! Kick things off with our signature high-energy intro jingle that signals it’s time for some serious rugby talk! In this episode, Fitzy and Bill sit down with the biggest names in the sport to dissect the "reset button" Major League Rugby has pressed for...
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The episode opens with our upbeat, signature "Happy Hour" jingle, instantly setting a high-energy tone for a conversation that balances veteran wisdom with the excitement of a new chapter. This week, we are joined by loose forward Paddy Ryan as he settles into life in the Pacific Northwest. Paddy discusses the motivations behind his move to Seattle and what it’s like transitioning into one of the most passionate rugby culture...
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This week, we are joined by one of Major League Rugby’s most experienced officials, Luke Rogan. Fresh off a prestigious assignment refereeing the U20 6 Nations in Europe, Luke gives us a front-row seat to the atmosphere of international rugby and the unique pressure of managing the next generation of global stars on some of the game's most historic grounds. The conversation shifts to the cutting edge of the domestic game as ...
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Welcome to a special edition of the US Rugby Happy Hour with hosts Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick. This episode kicks off with a high-energy intro jingle in the style of the Beach Boys, perfectly setting the stage for our guest's move to the sunny shores of San Diego. Before diving into the main event, the hosts recap the latest standout performances from USA Women's Eagles playing in Europe, including try-scoring outings by Hope ...
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In this landmark episode of the US Rugby Happy Hour, hosts Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick sit down with Chris Mattina, Executive Director of the US Rugby Players Association, to break down the first-ever collective bargaining agreement in American professional rugby history. Before diving into the heavy lifting of labor negotiations, the show kicks off with a custom, high-octane heavy metal jingle that Mattina joked he needs as hi...
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In this episode of US Rugby Happy Hour, hosts Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick sit down with the newly minted head coach of the USA Men’s Sevens program, Zack Test. A year off the historic Olympic bronze with the women’s side, Zack opens up about his journey from a career-altering injury to leading the Eagles back toward the world stage. He discusses the emotional weight of his new role, the "Mount Everest" of the 2028...
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In the Season 6 premiere of US Rugby Happy Hour, hosts Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick sit down with one of the most passionate voices in the American game: former USA Eagle and current National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) leader, Alycia Washington. From her days dominating the pitch as a player to her transition into coaching and high-level administration, Alycia shares her unique perspective on the current state of the collegiate land...
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From Olympic Bronze to Parisian Rings: The Unstoppable Alev Kelter In this high-energy episode of US Rugby Happy Hour, hosts Bill Baker and John Fitzpatrick welcome one of the most decorated and versatile athletes in American rugby: triple-Olympian and USA Eagle #256, Alev Kelter. Alev opens up about her remarkable journey from the elite ice rinks and soccer fields of Alaska to the global rugby stage, sharing the deeply personal s...
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This week, US Rugby Happy Hour welcomes newly capped USA Eagle Nafi Ma'afu (Eagle #597) for a candid conversation about finally achieving his lifelong goal. After years of anticipation from USA rugby fans, the Top 14 forward—who is currently playing with Montauban in France after stints with Perpignan and Grenoble—details his remarkable journey from high school rugby in Phoenix, Arizona, to the elite level of French clu...
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This special episode of US Rugby Happy Hour welcomes a major figure in the American game: Alex Magleby, Co-President of Major League Rugby (MLR). Magleby offers an unparalleled, candid look inside the business and strategy driving the nation's premier professional rugby competition. Dive deep into the mission to stabilize and professionalize the sport, what it takes to build a thriving league, and the critical relationship between ...
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On this special Thanksgiving episode, Bill and Fitzy share 3 Rugby Things They're Thankful For! ⭐️ MLR 2026 Season ⭐️ MLR 2026 Player Signings ⭐️ USA Men’s & Women’s Eagles ⭐️ Dedicated Youth Rugby Volunteers/Coaches ⭐️ The People of American Rugby Like, follow, and subscribe and please leave a comment!! Check out eaglesoverseas.com for the latest on your USA Eagles, schedules, news and more, and vi...
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In this episode of the US Rugby Happy Hour, hosts Bill and Fitzy welcome Anthem Rugby Club’s General Manager, Mark Carney to the show to discuss Anthem’s off season and future. Have Anthem’s goals changed? Did we give away a signing before Anthem did? What is the team doing to better themselves, will they have enough to not just win, but make it to the playoffs?  Follow @americanrugbyrising and @rugbymorning...
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