Hounds Promote Academy Standout to Senior Squad
Published on December 11, 2024 under Major League Rugby (MLR)
Chicago Hounds News Release
The Chicago Hounds announced today the signing of Academy standout Sam Walsh. After joining the Hounds Academy team earlier this year, Walsh parlayed a pair of impressive performances into a contract with the senior team ahead of the 2025 Major League Rugby season.
The Cal Berkeley product spent his rookie 2024 season with Los Angeles Rugby Football Club and can play both flyhalf and fullback.
The 5'11", 200 pound distributor was born in Boston but moved to Hong Kong as an infant. After attending the King George V School, Walsh earned his International Baccalaureate degree from the Scots College in New Zealand. He signed with the California Golden Bears as part of their 2018 recruiting class.
It didn't take long for Walsh to make an impact, starting eight games in his 2019 true freshman season. The flyhalf became one of Cal's best playmakers, finishing the year with 10 tries while hitting 64 conversions, good enough for a staggering 178 points. Between the pandemic-shortened seasons and a few untimely injuries, Walsh's playing opportunities were limited over the next few seasons.
Upon graduation, Walsh earned a contract training with the USA Men's 7s program at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California. In November of 2022, he made his World Series debut at the Hong Kong 7s tournament, alongside fellow Hound Noah Brown. He signed with LA RFC prior to the 2024 season.
As a rookie, the flyhalf appeared in eight contests and earned two starts, playing a total of 202 minutes. Walsh carried the ball 24 times and averaged six meters-per-carry, gaining 144 meters on the year. Defensively, the former Golden Bear made all nine of his tackle attempts.
To date, the Chicago Hounds confirmed the following player transactions:
Player Name Position Transaction Type
Faka'Osi Pifeleti Prop New Signing
Hamish Bain Lock New Signing
Maclean Jones Back Row Contract Extension
Matthew Oworu Back Row New Signing
Lucas Rumball Back Row Contract Extension
Luke White Back Row Contract Extension
Tim Short Scrumhalf New Signing
Tim Swiel Flyhalf New Signing
Sam Walsh Flyhalf / Fullback New Signing (Academy)
Bryce Campbell Center Contract Extension
Ollie Devoto Center New Signing
Noah Flesch Center New Signing
Noah Brown Wing Contract Extension
Michael Hand II Wing Contract Extension
Ben Pollack Versatile Back New Signing
Major League Rugby Stories from December 11, 2024
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