Austin Gilgronis
Austin Gilgronis were one of Major League Rugby’s original teams and one of its most unusually named clubs. Beginning as Austin Elite, the Texas side evolved through several identities before becoming the Gilgronis, playing in black and orange at Bold Stadium and finishing top of the Western Conference in their final season.
From Austin Elite to the Gilgronis
The organisation was founded in 2017 as Austin Elite ahead of Major League Rugby’s inaugural 2018 season. It was one of seven teams involved in launching the professional competition and helped establish Austin as an early MLR market.
Austin announced the Herd identity in 2019, although another change followed after new ownership arrived. The team entered the 2020 season as the Austin Gilgronis, commonly shortened to AG Rugby or the AGs.
Why Were They Called the Gilgronis?
The Gilgronis name was introduced as part of the 2020 rebrand and referred to a cocktail concept associated with club owner Adam Gilchrist. The unconventional identity attracted attention well beyond rugby and divided opinion among supporters.
Whatever the reaction to the name, it made the team immediately recognisable. The bold AG branding and orange-and-black shirts created a distinctive visual era in the short history of professional rugby in Austin.
Rugby at Bold Stadium
The Gilgronis played at Bold Stadium within the Circuit of the Americas complex. The venue became their regular home from the 2020 season and hosted the club’s strongest years in Major League Rugby.
Austin developed from a winless 2019 campaign into a competitive Western Conference side. USA international Bryce Campbell captained the team in its final two seasons, while the squad also featured experienced international players from the United States and overseas.
First in the West, Then Disqualified
Austin recorded 12 wins from 16 regular-season matches in 2022 and finished first in Major League Rugby’s Western Conference. It was the best campaign in the club’s five-season history.
The Gilgronis did not take part in the playoffs. Major League Rugby disqualified the club from the 2022 postseason because of a violation of league rules. Austin and the LA Giltinis were subsequently removed from the competition and neither returned for the 2023 season. The Gilgronis are therefore a former team rather than an active MLR club.
Black and Orange
Black and orange defined the Austin Gilgronis era. Home and alternate jerseys reversed or rearranged those colours, with the bold AG crest providing the main visual link between designs.
Earlier shirts may carry Austin Elite or Austin Herd branding and use a different colour scheme. This FanFile covers the full team lineage rather than one particular jersey, so check the crest, manufacturer, sponsor and product label to identify the exact season of your shirt.
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Historical Club Links
Sources & Further Reading
- Major League Rugby: official league website
- The Guardian: Austin’s departure from Major League Rugby
Facts checked: 17 September 2026.