It's June, 2018; Ayron Schramm and his club Heidelberger RK have just become the first German team to qualify for the Heineken Challenge Cup, time for celebration, right? Maybe not.

Schramm and other contracted players had been told by club management that their contracts would stay intact if the team qualified for the televised international tournament. But then, unexpectedly, the team was called into a meeting room by club owner Dr. Hans-Peter Wild.  

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At the front of the room stood Wild—who made his billions through Capri Sun drink pouches—and he informs the team that their contracts would be liquidated immediately. European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) had rejected Heidelberger RK’s qualification because Wild’s recent investment in the Parisian club Stade Francais violated ownership Regulation 14 in the World Rugby Handbook.

The Titans were disqualified and Ayron Schramm was contractless.

“Yeah, jeez it was a huge surprise," said Schramm. "We were originally told if we qualify our jobs are safe. Then it's a massive shock when you’re told ‘yeah, sorry you don’t have jobs.’”

Following the announcement, Schramm was selected by Germany to play against Portugal in a match that, if won, could boost Germany into a World Cup repechage. While many of his German teammates would not take the field with a contract, Schramm elected to play.

Germany won, but Schramm fractured his jaw in the game.

Watch Ayron Schramm and Germany vs USA from November 2017 On-Demand

Schramm was unable to play in the Rugby World Cup qualifier against Samoa. In November, he returned to play in the World Cup qualification repechage in Marseilles. Germany went 2-1 in the repechage with their only loss to the eventual winners, Canada. 

The Houston Sabercats got Schramm’s agent on the phone and in only few months the No. 8 earned a position in the Sabercat starting lineup. “Everything is different here, but people are really getting behind the sport.”

Schramm spoke excitedly about the MLR’s commitment to marketing matches and stadiums. “The league just needs depth.” Schramm expounds on the necessity of practicing 15 against 15. “It will come with time.”

The Sabercats play their first few matches on the road in preparation for the debut of their new AVEVA Stadium. Then Schramm will fly back to Germany to play for the national team in the Rugby European Championship.

“Ugh, jet lag,” Schramm only half laughs. “The transition is difficult. You’ve got two coaches, so two patterns. That means two play calls and lineout calls on a four-day turnaround. But it’s simple because it’s your job, so the transition and preparation becomes just a part of life.” 

Schramm will miss three MLR matches to cap again for Germany against Romania and Germany. “It’s a great group of lads, my brothers, I would do anything to play with them whenever.” 

The Sabercats are 1-0 and will have a new stadium for their fans come March, while Germany may have another chance to earn their way into the 2019 World Cup with rumblings about Namibia potentially pulling out.