UTAH WARRIORS SELECT THREE PLAYERS IN 2021 MLR DRAFT

Thursday, August 19 — Herriman, UT. The Utah Warriors announced the addition of three players in the 2021 Major League Rugby Collegiate Draft held today.

Utah Warriors General Manager Brandon Sparks believes each of these players can make immediate impacts on the Warriors’ game day rosters heading into next season.

“We future-proofed our team in this 2021 Draft and added depth,” said Utah Warriors General Manager Brandon Sparks. “All of these players could appear next year in the top 23 but it is our organization’s goal to be patient and give them time to develop so they are successful. Our three selections exemplify our core values and have the tools to perform at this level and we are excited to welcome them to Utah.”

The Warriors entered the Draft with their own pick in each of the three rounds along with Rugby ATL’s first round selection. In total Utah owned four selections as they prepared for the Draft, the 11, 12, 24 and 37 overall selections. However, a trade leading up to the Draft saw Utah send the 11th overall selection, along with cap space, to NOLA for the 9th overall pick. As a result of their trade with NOLA, Utah followed up the move by sending the 12th overall selection to Rugby ATL for cap space.

With the 9th overall pick in the Major League Rugby Draft, Utah selected Joseph Backe (6’, 240) out of Western Michigan University. Backe, ranked in the Top 100 loose forwards in the country at Neuqua Valley High School where he captained two state championships. Backe played for Coach Mark Allen at Western Michigan where he was a four-year starter in the 8-shirt for the Broncos. He finished his collegiate rugby career as a three-time All-Conference player, earning the honor in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

“This has been a two year journey from when we first saw Joey the first time at an ID camp,” said Sparks. “We projected him based on physical traits to be a hooker at the professional level and he was able to put on weight and has been working on his throws which he showed off in his pre-draft workout here in Utah. He is a smart and motivated young man that has an incredible work-rate on the field and we are excited for him to show why he was a first round pick.”

With the Ninth Overall Pick in the @usmlr Draft, the Utah Warriors select…

Joseph Backe from Western Michigan!#ForTheNation pic.twitter.com/Kt6UjMoojO

— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) August 19, 2021

Utah looked to add some height to their back three, selecting center/fullback Connor Burns (6-3, 200) with the 24th overall pick. Burns, who was born and raised in Reading, United Kingdom, played his college career at Lindenwood University in Saint Charles, Missouri. An All-Conference player for the Lions, Burns was a member of the London Irish Gold Academy before coming to the states to attend Lindenwood and pursue an International Business degree.

“Connor is a special player,” said Sparks. “His story at Lindenwood is unique and it demonstrated some grit that complimented his skill set. His boot and size will be an excellent addition and the players he will be surrounded by will compliment his development perfectly. He is the future of our back 3 and we are going to give him time to develop physically and on the field.”

With the 24th Overall Pick in the MLR Draft, the Utah Warriors select…

Connor Burns from Lindenwood University!#ForTheNation pic.twitter.com/60OS32VnUg

— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) August 19, 2021

Finally, to close out the Draft, Utah selected Emerson Prior (6-2, 250), a lock out of Trent University in Ontario, Canada with the 37th overall selection. Prior began playing rugby as a ninth grader in high school in Kingston, Ontario. Prior quickly excelled in the sport, playing at Trent University before being selected to the U19 and U20s Canadian rugby program in 2017 and 2018. Prior joins the Warriors after moving to Victoria, British Columbia in 2020 to play with the Canadian National Development Academy.

“Emerson was the steal of the draft in my opinion and we are excited to have him here in Utah and support his ambitions of being a Canadian international,” said Sparks. “There is no better place in North America to ply your trade as a forward than working with Shawn Pittman here in the beehive state. His size, return to action speed, film and interview impressed us and made it an easy decision to draft him here.”

With the 37th Overall Pick in the MLR Draft, the Utah Warriors select…

Emerson Prior from Trent University!#ForTheNation pic.twitter.com/BKD7Zdvf24

— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) August 19, 2021

Stay tuned to the Utah Warriors social media and website for updates and announcements, including the 2022 roster announcement. For more information on the Utah Warriors 2022 season ticket options please visit www.WarriorsRugby.com.

ABOUT THE UTAH WARRIORS

The Utah Warriors are a founding member of Major League Rugby and one of 12 professional rugby teams competing in the MLR. The Warriors players come from nine different countries and many have local ties to the state of Utah. The team is built upon four core values of Community, Family, Tradition and Respect. To learn about the Warriors 2021 schedule, or to purchase tickets, visit us online at www.warriorsrugby.com.