Utah Warriors Prepare To Host Houston Sabercats In MLR Western Conference Final
Jun 18, 2025, 11:59 AM
Utah Warriors’ Nic Benn (14) slips a tackle by RFC Los Angeles’ Gonzalo Bertranou (9) during a Utah Warriors Major League Rugby game against RFC Los Angeles at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman on Saturday, June 7, 2025. (Brice Tucker, Deseret News)
(Brice Tucker, Deseret News)
HERRIMAN, Utah – The Utah Warriors are one win away from reaching the Major League Rugby Finals as they prepare to host the Houston Sabercats on Saturday, June 21.
Before facing Houston, Warriors head coach Greg Cooper spoke about what his club has already accomplished this season.
“Our goal was to be in the top two of our conference, to give ourselves a chance at a home playoff opportunity,” Cooper said of the group’s preseason goals. “Obviously, getting one and winning that one gives us a second opportunity at home… We’re obviously aiming to be the best in the West, and if we’re good enough to do that, then we go to the final.”
First home playoff win in club history, but we're not done yet. Western Conference Finals up next.#ForTheNation #ForUtah #UpTheWahs #MLR2025 #ProRugby pic.twitter.com/buXMzeq7uC
— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) June 17, 2025
Utah enjoyed its best regular season, finishing 11-5, four points clear of second-place Houston. Cooper believes a secret to this team’s success is their closeness on and off the pitch.
“I would say this would be one of the most connected teams that I’ve ever been involved in,” Cooper said. “The boys really enjoy each other’s company, and they fight for each other… You can have the most talented team, you can be the most organized. But I think when you’re connected and you fight for each other and that little brotherhood, there’s a good feeling, and that’s helped us.”
Warriors host first-ever Major League Rugby Conference Final
Utah earned the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference thanks to an 11-5 regular season. The Warriors led the league with 58 points.
Houston was third in the league with 54 points and a 10-6 record.
Warrior Nation – be there for the Utah Warriors first ever showing in a Conference Finals. We're hosting the winner of tonight's match up between RFCLA and Houston Sabercats.
Tickets on sale.#ForTheNation #ForUtah #MLR2025 #ProRugby #UpTheWahs pic.twitter.com/kaWyLgzqQX— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) June 15, 2025
Three of Utah’s losses came at the hands of the Sabercats. Houston opened the season with back-to-back wins against the Warriors. The Sabercats scratched out a 22-15 win in March.
They followed it up with a 37-17 victory at Zions Bank Stadium six days later.
Houston secured a season sweep with a 29-24 win on May 4.
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The Warriors host the Houston Sabercats in the Western Conference Finals at Zions Bank Stadium on Saturday, June 21. The match begins at 7 p.m. MT.
Find KSL Sports coverage of the Utah Warriors here.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
