Steve Starr
- The Ironworkers (4-4) are 5.5-point home favorites over the Sabercats (6-2) in Round 10
- New York and Houston are the No. 2 seeds in the Eastern and Western Conferences
- Five other Major League Rugby matchups will take place across the country this weekend
Major League Rugby enters Round 10 of the 2023 season with six matches across the league this weekend. Only the top three seeds in each conference make the postseason in the MLR. That makes this Sunday’s battle between the New York Ironworkers (4-4), the No. 2 seed in the East, and the West’s No. 2 seed Houston Sabercats, pivotal for playoff positioning.
Before we examine the odds and make our picks for every Round 10 game, check out the top Rugby Betting Sites in 2023. You can also stay up to date with the latest betting tips on the 2023 Rugby Union World Cup.
Ironworkers vs SaberCats
 | Spread | Win | Draw |
| New York Ironworkers | -5.5 (-110) | -200 | +2200 |
| Houston Sabercats | +5.5 (-120) | +166 | +2200 |
Houston heads to New York
New York (4-4) is coming off a 42-31 loss to Old Glory DC (3-5) in Round 9. The 2022 MLR Champions blew a 24-12 halftime lead, losing to their Eastern Conference rivals for the first time in franchise history. The Ironworkers also barely beat the 1-7 Toronto Arrows the previous week, squeaking out a 29-27 road victory.
Meanwhile, Houston (6-2) scored a 33-21 home victory over Dallas (1-7) in Round 9. The SaberCats’ only two losses this season have come at the hands of the Utah Warriors and Seattle Seawolves, each of whom have impressive 6-2 records.
SABERCATS BEAT DALLAS: ‘A GREAT WIN’ | Davy Coetzer’s clutch late score seals the match for 6-2 SaberCats ✍️ @AaronWilson_NFL https://t.co/bUhcBURYSP pic.twitter.com/QgZ3NAEm7e
— Houston SaberCats (@Hou_Sabercats) April 17, 2023
SaberCats are road underdogs
It’s hard to fathom why Houston is a 5.5-point road underdog on Sunday afternoon. Sitting at 6-2 with a +70 point differential on the season, compared to New York’s +9, the SaberCats have been the better team all year long. While the Ironworkers’ 3-1 mark at Memorial Field is impressive, their victories have come against middling clubs that have a .500 record or worse.
We like Houston to win outright (+166) against the MLR’s reigning champions in Round 10.
Major League Rugby – Round 10 Matchups
| Spread | Win | Draw |
| Toronto Arrows | +15.5 (-120) | +475 | +3300 |
| Seattle Seawolves | -15.5 (-110) | -850 | +3300 |
| Dallas Jackets | +15.5 (-120) | +475 | +3300 |
| San Diego Legion | -15.5 (-110) | -800 | +3300 |
| Old Glory DC | +1.5 (-120) | +104 | +2000 |
| Utah Warriors | -1.5 (-110) | -122 | +2000 |
| New England Free Jacks | -11.5 (-110) | -460 | +3000 |
| Rugby ATL | +11.5 (-120) | +330 | +3000 |
| Chicago Hounds | +7.5 (-120) | +210 | +2400 |
| NOLA Gold | -7.5 (-110) | -265 | +2400 |
Five More Games This Weekend
New England (6-2) is 11.5-point home chalk over Rugby ATL (4-4) . The Atlanta-based team is coming off a 23-7 road victory over NOLA Gold (3-5). Take them to cover the points against the Free Jacks, who may be startled by the difference in competition after playing the Chicago Hounds (1-7) and Toronto Arrows (1-7) in consecutive weeks.
San Diego (7-1) is a heavy 15.5-point road favorite versus Dallas (1-7). Back in Round 8, they came away with a hard-fought 23-20 victory over Seattle (6-2) that catapulted them to the top of the Western Conference. The Legion should once again run roughshod over the Jackals after shutting them out 22-0 at home a month ago.
One Team. One Goal. #QuestForTheShield pic.twitter.com/tkoWww0vu0
— San Diego Legion Rugby (@SDLegion) April 18, 2023
Chicago (1-7) is a 7.5-point home dog to NOLA Gold (3-5). The Hounds will continue to be the rest of the MLR’s punching bag for the foreseeable future.
Utah (6-2) is a 1.5-point favorite on the road at Old Glory DC (3-5) on Saturday afternoon. The Warriors are riding a five-game winning streak that includes impressive wins over the Seawolves (6-2), SaberCats (6-2) and Free Jacks (6-2). Old Glory DC isn’t a push over by any means, but we like Utah to keep it rolling.
Finally, the biggest point spread of the week belongs to Seattle (6-2), who is a 15.5-point road favorite over Toronto (1-7). Following two-straight losses to the Warriors and the Legion, the Seawolves will take out their frustrations on the Arrows on Sunday.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
