The Houston SaberCats, who took part in Major League Rugby's championship game in June, are the latest team to pull out of the U.S. league.

"It is with much sadness that we announce that we will not be participating in MLR's 2026 season," the team said in a statement Thursday.

The SaberCats, who had been in the league since its inaugural 2018 season, thanked their fans and sponsors but did not provide further details of their departure.

Houston finished second in the Western Conference at 10-6-0 last season, defeating RFC Los Angeles 27-21 and the Utah Warriors 33-19 before losing 28-22 to the New England Free Jacks in the June 28 title match.

Major League Rugby featured 11 teams last season but was reduced to nine in July when NOLA Gold, based in the New Orleans suburb of Metairie, ba

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