Free Jacks Return Home Looking to Hold Their Spot Atop The Eastern Conference Against Dallas

New England Free Jacks vs Dallas Jackals

When: Sunday, June 2, 2024, 2pm EST

Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Quincy, MA

Watch: NBC Sports Boston (tape delayed @ 7:30pm), The Rugby Network (live)

Match Preview: 

The Free Jacks are back at home this week against Dallas, after back-to-back games on the road in Rounds 12 and 13. Entering this weekend, New England remains atop the Eastern Conference with a 7-4 record after a narrow loss in Miami. They are 1 table point above 2nd placed NOLA, and 5 over 3rd place Chicago.

Against Miami, Andrew Quattrin and Seta Baker put on solid performances despite the loss, with the Kiwi back rower, Baker, scoring the team’s only try, while running for 59 meters and adding 13 tackles as well; while the Canadian hooker, Quattrin, led the team with 8 carries and 16 tackles.

Against Dallas, expect the Free Jacks to keep the team fresh with a few rotations, especially with new signing, back rower Jed Melvin, being added to the mix, and with the chance of seeing the return of a couple of key backline players in Paula Balekana and Reece Macdonald.

The Free Jacks hosted the Dallas Jackals in 2023, in their first matchup ever, in which New England came away with a 10-9 victory in rainy conditions. Expect a close contest again this Sunday against a tough Dallas outfit.

Scouting

Fresh off a bye week, Dallas is back on the road this week after a 14-7 win at home against Seattle in Round 12.

The Jackals currently sit 4th in the Western Conference with a record of 5-6, and a total of 32 points (4 points behind the San Diego Legion). 

Dallas is a feisty, hard-working team, who has competed well against every opponent this season, as evidenced by the league-leading 12 bonus points that they have won so far. Their forward pack is very good in the set-piece, and thrives off of mauls, with players like hooker Dewald Kotze, who leads the league with 10 tries, and back rower Jero Gómez Vara. Their backline has a distinct Argentinian flavor, with flyhalf Martín Elias pulling the strings, and in-form center Tomás Cubilla being their main ball carrier.

All time against Dallas

1-0