Makeen Alikhan Bio
Makeen Alikhan is a Canadian-born rugby union player who represents Anthem Rugby Carolina in Major League Rugby (MLR) and the United States national rugby union team, known as the Eagles. A versatile flanker standing 189 cm tall and competing at 102 kg, Alikhan has built a reputation as a hard-working forward with an eye for the try line. Since turning professional in 2021, he has progressed through one of England’s most respected academies, gained senior experience in the United States, and emerged as a rising international player.
Born in Vancouver, Canada, Alikhan moved to England for his schooling and university studies, where his pathway into the professional game began. His journey from schoolboy captain to professional flanker reflects a steady climb shaped by competitive rugby at Epsom College, development time with Harlequins and a loan spell at Worthing RFC, before establishing himself as a senior professional in Major League Rugby.
Early Life and Background
Makeen Alikhan was born on 10 October 2001 in Vancouver, Canada. Growing up in a Canadian city with a strong sporting culture, he was introduced to rugby during his early years, an experience that would shape the rest of his life. His family later relocated to England, where he continued his education and began to develop as a serious athlete.
Alikhan attended Epsom College, a well-known English independent school with a proud rugby tradition. He captained the Epsom College 1st XV in the National Schools Champions Trophy, leading the team in one of the country’s most prestigious schoolboy competitions. His performances at Epsom earned him a place in the Schools Rugby 2019/20 Dream Team, recognition that confirmed his status as one of the standout young players of his age group.
Following his schooling, Alikhan enrolled at the University of Bristol, an institution long associated with competitive university rugby in the United Kingdom. Balancing academic studies with elite-level training, he continued to refine his forward skills while preparing for the next stage of his rugby career.
Path to Professional Rugby
Alikhan’s route into the professional ranks began inside the Harlequins academy, one of the most established development systems in English rugby. He signed his first professional contract with Harlequins in 2021, signaling the club’s belief in his long-term potential. The move marked a clear transition from promising schoolboy to a contracted professional.
He made his senior debut for Harlequins against Saracens in the Premiership Rugby Cup, an impressive stage on which to announce his arrival. His first try for the club came in a 7-45 win over Oxford University, a moment that underlined his nose for the try line even in the early stages of his career. To gain further senior minutes, he was sent on loan to Worthing RFC, where he debuted in a 17-0 win over Rochford Hundred and continued to develop his craft at the club level.
Makeen Alikhan Career
Early Career (2021-2023)
Alikhan’s first two seasons as a professional were spent balancing Harlequins academy duties with senior rugby at Worthing RFC on loan. The dual pathway allowed him to train among some of the best young forwards in the English system while accumulating meaningful game time in a competitive league environment. His progress was steady and purposeful.
By the end of the 2023 season, he had established himself as a player ready for the next step. His experiences at Worthing, combined with the high-performance environment at Harlequins, had prepared him to test himself in a new league and a new country.
Harlequins Breakthrough (2021-2024)
Across his time with Harlequins, Makeen Alikhan featured in cup competition and developed his reputation as a combative, athletic flanker. Debuting against Saracens set a high bar for his early appearances, and he responded by crossing the try line soon after in a comfortable win over Oxford University. The Harlequins environment, known for its pace and creativity, helped shape his understanding of the modern forward role.
Although opportunities in the fully professional senior squad were limited, his loan spells ensured that he continued to grow as a player. The combination of Premiership Rugby Cup minutes and senior experience at Worthing gave him a balanced foundation, and he left the club in 2024 with a strong development portfolio behind him.
Dallas Jackals Era (2024)
In 2024, Alikhan joined the Dallas Jackals on loan for the Major League Rugby season, marking his first move into North American professional rugby. He was named in the Jackals roster for the 2024 MLR campaign and quickly adapted to the demands of the competition. His first appearance came off the bench in the second round of the season, a 23-30 loss against San Diego Legion, where he entered the match in the 48th minute.
His first start came against the Houston SaberCats, a 27-30 loss in which he wore the openside flanker jersey and scored a try in the 45th minute. The performance demonstrated his ability to make an impact in both contact and attacking phases, and it strengthened his case for a longer-term role in the league.
Anthem Rugby Carolina Era (2025-Present)
Following his loan spell with Dallas, Alikhan made a permanent move to Anthem Rugby Carolina ahead of the 2025 MLR season. He made an immediate impression, scoring a try on his debut in the opening round of the competition against NOLA Gold. The start signaled his importance to the Anthem RC forward pack and gave him an ideal platform to build on his prior North American experience.
The 2025 season has allowed Alikhan to settle into a regular starting role at flanker, where his work rate, breakdown skills and support running have become valuable assets. His form for Anthem RC has coincided with a new chapter at international level, with the Eagles calling on his services for the first time.
Playing Style and Strengths
Alikhan is a flanker whose game is built on mobility, physicality and a willingness to compete at the contact area. Comfortable on both the openside and blindside, he reads the breakdown effectively and offers a strong carrying option close to the ruck. His try-scoring instincts, evident from his early days at Harlequins and at Anthem RC, complement his core defensive duties and make him a well-rounded modern forward.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the standout moments of his early career are his debut for Harlequins against Saracens, his first senior try against Oxford University, and his try-scoring debut for Anthem RC against NOLA Gold. On the international stage, he was called up to the USA under-20 squad in May 2020, was later named in the USA Eagles Extended Player Squad for 2024, and scored a try on his senior Eagles debut in a win over Belgium in July 2025.
Makeen Alikhan International Career
Alikhan’s international pathway began on 15 May 2020, when he was called up to the USA under-20 squad, a significant milestone for any young American-eligible player. The call-up validated his development in the English academy system and confirmed his standing within the wider U.S. rugby talent pool.
He continued to progress through the American pathway when he was named in the USA Eagles Extended Player Squad for 2024. In 2025, he earned his first senior cap for the United States, scoring a try on his debut in a win over Belgium. The moment marked the arrival of a player who had been building toward senior international rugby for several years.
Makeen Alikhan Career Highlights
Club Career Highlights
Across his time with Harlequins, Worthing RFC, Dallas Jackals and Anthem RC, Makeen Alikhan has accumulated experience in three different rugby environments: English club rugby, English community rugby and Major League Rugby. His most recent try-scoring appearance came on debut for Anthem RC against NOLA Gold in the opening round of the 2025 MLR season, while his first senior try came earlier in a 7-45 win over Oxford University while at Harlequins.
International Highlights
Alikhan’s international journey has progressed from the USA under-20 setup in 2020 to the Eagles Extended Player Squad in 2024 and the senior United States team in 2025. His try on debut against Belgium in July 2025 stands as the clearest statement yet of his readiness for the highest level of the sport.
Makeen Alikhan Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Makeen Alikhan was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, before moving to England for his secondary and university education. While specific details about his parents and family are not publicly documented, his Canadian upbringing and English schooling have shaped a career path that has spanned two continents. He attended Epsom College and later the University of Bristol, both of which played formative roles in his development as a player and as a person.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a breakthrough year for Makeen Alikhan at both club and international level. With Anthem Rugby Carolina, he opened the Major League Rugby campaign with a try on debut against NOLA Gold, immediately establishing himself as a key contributor to the team’s forward play. His form at flanker has provided the franchise with a reliable option in the back row and a finisher around the ruck.
At international level, 2025 brought his long-awaited senior cap for the United States. Scoring a try on his debut against Belgium in July confirmed that his club trajectory had translated to the international stage, and he is expected to remain a part of the Eagles’ plans heading into future test windows. The combination of consistent MLR minutes and senior international experience gives him a strong platform to build on as he continues to develop as a forward.