The third season for Major League Rugby (MLR) kicks off in early February and Lindenwood will be well represented. 
 
The Lions have been a collegiate rugby powerhouse in the United States for several years and that tradition of success is showing in representation at the professional level.  There are 12 former Lindenwood standouts that have secured contracts for the 2020 season as well as two alumni that have been hired as professional staff members.
 
Tadgh Leader and Deion Mikesell will play for the expansion New England Free Jacks.  Both players have been capped as U.S. international players. Leader will look to use his leadership ability and superb kicking skills while Mikesell will offer supreme try-finishing ability and previous MLR experience with the Houston Sabercats.
 
Juan Pablo Aguirre and Matt Wirken will try continue the success for Rugby United New York from last year. Wirken played for the team in its inaugural season and helped them to the MLR playoffs. Aguirre featured for Austin last year and will look to add his large selection of skills to an already talented RUNY back line featuring former international standouts Ben Foden and Mathieu Bastareaud.
 
Michael Baska takes his talents to the Utah Warriors after several successful seasons with the NOLA Gold. Baska is labeled as a utility back, meaning he has a multitude of skills and brings a coveted versatility to an already talented team.
 
Nick Feakes will continue his strong play for the NOLA Gold. Last year, Feakes found a home starting on the left wing and was electric in attack for the squad. He will need to continue to be brilliant on the wing as NOLA lost its top try producer from 2019.
 
Gabe Romero remains with the Houston Sabercats. He started their preseason test against the Tasman Makos last weekend and will look to add his considerable physicality and consistent play.
 
Lindenwood 2019 graduate Chance Wenglewski hopes to start his professional career strongly with Rugby ATL in their first season. The Team USA capped prop is a nightmare for opposing scrummagers and will bring energy and experience to the new side.
 
The 2020 Austin Elite feature four former Lions on the roster. Sione Fangaiuiha and Gabriel Farley will play in the Elite midfield and bring physicality to the backline. Recent Lindenwood graduates Michael de Waal and Wesley White seem prepared to make impacts as loose forwards, De Waal as a defensive powerhouse and White as a game-changing athlete.
 
In addition to all of the previously mentioned players, former Lions Chris Reed and Michael Cullen will serve important roles in the MLR. Reed will be helping the Austin Elite in a marketing role and Cullen is supporting the players at RUNY as an assistant strength and conditioning coach.

The MLR provides the only professional rugby competition in the U.S. and will feature three expansion teams:  The New England Free Jacks, Old Glory DC, and Rugby ATL.