Debt collectors, dodgy turf and medical bills: the brutal realities of life in MLR

The US pro league is a start-up scrapping for its place in the sports world. But those at the sharp end pushing for a union have met opposition from owners

One year ago, Mark O'Keefe helped the Austin Gilgronis clinch their first Major League Rugby playoff place. The center and his teammates were elated. But just before they bussed two-and-a-half hours south-east to Houston for their final game of the regular season, their coach, Sam Harris, called a meeting.

After beating San Diego, rumors started to circulate about our season ending prematurely," O'Keefe said. So the lads had a pretty bad feeling."