NOLA Gold sign scrumhalf Holden Yungert

The New Orleans Gold now have an international halfback connection with the signing of USA Select XV scrumhalf Holden Yungert. A product of the Saint Mary’s Gaels rugby program, Yungert was named Most Valuable Player of the Men’s Division 1A College Championship in May. He will team up with new signing JP Eloff in what should prove one of the most dynamic combinations in Major League Rugby.

Yungert, 24, emerged as a genuine Eagles contender with an impressive showing at the Americas Pacific Challenge in October. Prior to that he won Collegiate All-American honors, most recently coming off the bench against Oxford University in September. Yungert is a traditional halfback, relatively small in stature but quick across the ground and with good fundamental skills.

Other notables already signed by New Orleans include Canadian front row pair Hubert Buydens and Eric Howard, USA South Panthers captain Matt Hughston, and PRO Rugby MVP Sebastián Kalm. Major League rugby begins regular season play in April 2018.