Largest Scrum in History Bested Guinness World Record After USA Eagles Victory over Stade Toulousain
September 20, 2023 - Major League Rugby (MLR)
Utah Warriors News Release
SALT LAKE CITY - A new Guinness World Record will soon be verified for the largest scrum, which was attempted Saturday at America First Field after the exhilarating match where the USA Men's Eagles overcame Stade Toulousain. 2,938 participants came together on the field to create the huddle and best the former scrum record, which was set in 2018 by a young entrepreneur group in Japan at 2,586.
Six-year-old Make-A-Wish recipient and cancer survivor, Hadlee, was at the center of the near 3,000-person scrum. Proceeds from participation in the scrum were donated to Make-A-Wish Utah to fund Hadlee's dream trip to Disney World with her family. Hadlee, a Springville, Utah resident, has been diagnosed with brain cancer. Hadlee and her family were treated as guests of honor at the event, where it was announced that her wish would be granted.
The Rugby Alliance, a collaboration between professional rugby clubs Stade Toulousain and the Utah Warriors which played host to the match, was proud of the evening's results, which gathered thousands of fans from across the world. Between the Eagles' 24-21 win, the record-breaking scrum and Hadlee's wish granting, the match was memorable for all involved.
"Hosting the world's most successful rugby team, Stade Toulousain, against our beloved US national team right here in Utah's backyard is an experience that I personally will never forget," said Kimball Kjar, CEO of the Utah Warriors and co-founder of The Rugby Alliance. "And then to witness the US men's team pull off an upset by holding Toulouse out of the end zone at the death was nothing shy of amazing.
Kjar continued, "As exciting as that was, the most fulfilling moment was to see Hadlee's wish granted by our community by coming together in support of this amazing girl. We're grateful for everyone who came out to make this such a memorable night for Hadlee, for Utah, and for the sport of rugby for generations to come."
"We would like to express our gratitude to the Utah Warriors, USA Rugby, the event organizers, and our partners for the warm welcome we received in Utah," said Vincent Bonnet, marketing director at Stade Toulousain. "We witnessed a truly exceptional and historic moment, marking a significant milestone as the first-ever encounter between a rugby club and a national team on American soil. It is a fulfilling endeavor to contribute to the growth of rugby in the United States."
Bonnet added, "One particularly remarkable highlight of our visit was the overwhelming support we received from the French and international communities who gathered to meet us, offer their support, and join us in achieving this remarkable feat. We were thrilled to be a part of setting a new Guinness World record, too, making this occasion even more special and memorable."
"Saturday night was a brilliant experience for our rugby community and the fans of Utah," said Ross Young, CEO of USA Rugby. "Seeing a strong crowd in attendance all getting behind our team and supporting them to a heart-pumping win was exactly what makes rugby so exciting. A major thank you to our hosts, the Utah Warriors. The energy and hospitality at America First Field was superb and we very much look forward to returning in the future."
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