# The Reset is Real: The Ultimate 2026 Major League Rugby Season Preview

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/us-rugby-happy-hour-5908060/the-reset-is-real-the-ultimate-2026-major-league-rugby-season-preview
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/us-rugby-happy-hour-5908060/the-reset-is-real-the-ultimate-2026-major-league-rugby-season-preview.md
Podcast: [US Rugby Happy Hour](https://stenobird.com/podcast/us-rugby-happy-hour-5908060)
Published: 2026-04-02T00:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/COMG4881376760.mp3?updated=1775000157
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/COMG4881376760.mp3?updated=1775000157
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/us-rugby-happy-hour-5908060/episodes/the-reset-is-real-the-ultimate-2026-major-league-rugby-season-preview
Duration seconds: 4437

## Resource

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 the 2026 season. We explore the league's strategic shift toward domestic talent, the emergence of Anthem in Charlotte, and why a leaner, 6-team league actually means a much higher standard of competition on the pitch. Will the New England Free Jacks continue their dominance, or will the veteran-heavy Chicago Hounds finally secure the Shield? From locker room insights with Todd Thornley to expert analysis from Will Hooley, this episode is the essential roadmap for every fan heading into opening weekend. Tune in to find out which dark horse teams are ready to shake up the standings! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

## Actions

- request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/us-rugby-happy-hour-5908060/episodes/the-reset-is-real-the-ultimate-2026-major-league-rugby-season-preview/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.
- read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/us-rugby-happy-hour-5908060/the-reset-is-real-the-ultimate-2026-major-league-rugby-season-preview.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.

A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed.

## Transcript

Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.