Ollie Devoto and the Chicago Hounds are aiming for their first Major League Rugby championship on Sunday, playing at their home field in Bridgeview, Illinois. The England center will conclude a decorated career in the Windy City, where the Hounds face the California Legion.
“It’ll be a special day for the team and it’ll be a special day personally as well,” Devoto said. “My family are coming out for one last go. As long as we give the best account of ourselves, we’ll put ourselves in a good position.”
Dominant Season for the Hounds
The Hounds have excelled this year, winning all ten regular-season games before a comprehensive playoff victory over Old Glory DC. Hosting the championship at SeatGeek Stadium, they enter as heavy favorites. Average attendance hovers around 4,000 to 5,000, but more than 10,000 have attended championship games there previously, and the Hounds were not involved then. Some visitors for the opening of Barack Obama’s presidential center may stay to watch rugby.
Devoto’s Path to Chicago
Devoto joined the Hounds for the 2025 MLR season after a successful career at Bath, Exeter, and with England, winning Premiership and European titles. Injury forced him to consider retirement, but he played for Taunton in England’s fourth tier before Chicago CEO James English contacted him. “I jumped at that opportunity,” Devoto said.
The move from rural Somerset to urban Chicago was a culture shock, but Devoto, his wife Sophie, and their young family adapted quickly. On the field, he mentored homegrown talent as the league refocused on US-qualified players after contracting to six teams.
High Praise for Hounds Setup
Devoto commended the Hounds’ facilities under majority owner Peter Bernick and head coach Chris Latham, the former Australian full-back. “I’d honestly say the setup and the facilities that Chicago has are as good, if not better, than when I was at the Chiefs,” he said. “Everything’s there. Chicago’s winter is notoriously bad, so we were training in this huge dome, and everything was there to set us up to be as professional as possible.”
He highlighted Latham’s honesty and father-figure role, and the detail brought by assistant Noel Reid, who played for Leinster and Leicester. “The combination of Chris and him works perfectly, especially with the young American players being exposed to that level of detail you would get in the English Premiership. I would say that’s definitely behind our success.”
Young American Talent
Devoto identified two young Hounds from Indiana as standout performers: Peyton Wall and Noah Brown. “They’re scoring tries for fun at the moment, and it’s no coincidence that they’re some of the most keen to learn and sort of soak it in. I guess I’d like to think that I’ve helped them in some way.”
He sees potential for MLR and American rugby to grow, especially with the 2031 men’s and 2033 women’s World Cups in the US. “There is potential for hopefully the MLR and American rugby as a whole to grow massively. I think there’s such an opportunity there. It hasn’t been taken yet, and they’re way off competing with any other American sport, but Americans love their combat sports … and for whatever reason, they haven’t quite nailed rugby yet. I hope they do.”
Championship Opponent and League Outlook
The Hounds face a California Legion team that has played a nomadic season across their home state, under Wallaby great Adam Freier as CEO. MLR co-president Alex Magleby indicated that Anthem RC of North Carolina may disband after a three-year World Rugby deal, while new teams could emerge, possibly from Canada. The Hounds are strengthened by Canadian players Lucas Rumball, Mason Flesch, and Matthew Orowu.
Devoto’s Future
After the championship, Devoto will return to Britain with his family. He has studied to be a surveyor but is open to new opportunities. “I’d never say no to rugby. The people are what I’ll miss. The aim is to get something close to that kind of environment where you’re part of something that’s much bigger than yourself. That’s what I’ll miss the most.”
The MLR Championship game kicks off at 8 p.m. ET Sunday on ESPN2 and ESPN+ in the US and globally.
