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.
History In early November 2015, PRO Rugby launched its Facebook page and scheduled an announcement for November 9, 2015."Pro Rugby Announcement Coming Next Week", Goff Rugby Report, November 4, 2015. 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."PRO Rugby Launches First Professional League in North America", USA Rugby, November 9, 2015. PRO Rugby announced its first team, Sacramento, on November 18, 2015."It's official: Sacramento will get team in nation's first pro rugby league", Sacramento Business Journal, November 18, 2015.
In February 2016, Luke Gross was announced as the head coach of the new Sacramento PRO Rugby team."Gross Picked To Lead Sacramento PRO Side", This Is American Rugby, February 4, 2016.
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."Bergamasco To Sacramento", This Is American Rugby, March 9, 2016. Sacramento and other teams started convening their players in mid-March 2016 to begin training."US professional rugby a step closer as five teams begin training for kick-off", Guardian, Martin Pengelly, March 14, 2016.
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.
Venue Sacramento Bonney Field Capacity: 11,442
Current players and staff
Roster
The squad for the 2016 PRO Rugby season: Sacramento rosterProps Toke Kefu Olive Kilifi Valdemar Lee-Lo James Reddey Eric Fry Estephan Tuamasaga
Hookers Ray Barkwill Josh Inong Lagakali Tavake Cam Falcon
Locks Rich Knight Robert Meeson Sione Sina Matt DoubekLoose forwards Langilangi Haupeakui Sione Latu John Quill (c) Kyle Sumsion Ryan Koewler
Scrum-halves Joshua Holland Jope Motokana Chris Saint Ronald Dwyer
Fly-halves Harry Bennett Alex HodgkinsonCenters Mirco Bergamasco Nemia Qoro Alipate Takiveikata Cody Jerabek
Wingers Rashad Harbor Shane Moore Jojo Tikoisuva Fatai Vailala
Fullbacks Garrett Brewer Ryan Thompson (c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped.
Coaching staff Position Name Head coach Luke Gross Assistant coach Kevin Battle Assistant coach Fred WaititiHead Athletic TrainerTaylor Masten
Season summaries + C=Champions, R=Runners-up, W=Wooden Spoons Competition GamesPlayed GamesWon GamesDrawn GamesLost LadderPosition C R W Coach Details 2016 PRO Rugby season 4 1 0 3 4 / 5 Luke Gross 2016 Sacramento Express season
Leading players Seasons Captain Most tries Most points 2016 John Quill Olive Kilifi (3) Mirco Bergamasco (77)
Coaches Coach Tenure Matches Won Drawn Lost Winning PercentageLuke Gross 2016 4 1 0 3 25.00%
References