HOBOKEN, N.J. — Rugby ATL defeated Rugby New York 38-3 on Sunday to climb up the Eastern Conference standings and make the Toronto Arrows' playoff bid more challenging with two games remaining in Major League Rugby's regular season.
The No. 1 seeds in the Eastern and Western Conference get a first-round playoff bye, awaiting the winner of the matchup between the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in each conference.
East-leading New England (12-2-0, 56 points) has already clinched a playoff spot. Sunday's win moved Rugby ATL (9-5-0, 47 points) into second place in the East ahead of Rugby New York (9-5-0, 47 points) on points differential.
Toronto (8-6-0, 40 points) is fourth but has a chance to close the gap next Saturday when it visits Rugby ATL. The league's lone Canadian side kept its playoff hopes alive Thursday with a 33-18 win over visiting New England, a five-point victory since Toronto scored four tries to get the bonus point.
The Arrows close out the regular season June 5 against visiting Old Glory D.C. (2-12-0, 17 points) which is sixth and last in the East.
After hosting Toronto, Rugby ATL closes out the regular season against fifth-place NOLA Gold (4-10-0, 25 points) while Rugby New York visits Old Glory D.C. and New England.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 12, 2022
The Canadian Press
