The Austin Gilgronis and Los Angeles Giltinis have been axed from America’s Major League Rugby.

MLR on Tuesday confirmed that due to “uncertainties surrounding Austin and Los Angeles’ team ownership” they would not participate in the 2023 season.

Giltinis won the MRL title in their first season in 2021 with the help of some big-name Australians, including Matt Giteau and Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Next year’s MLR will feature 12 teams in a two-conference format, including the 11 existing teams and an expansion team “in a new market”– expected to be Chicago.