Fresh off a club national championship, an Austin team will move into Major League Rugby in 2018 with a new name and plans for an expanded stadium.

The Austin Huns Elite pro side is re-launching as Austin Elite Rugby.

"It’s important for us to become the Central Texas professional rugby team," co-owner Richard Osborn told the American-Statesman on Wednesday. "We felt that creating a separate brand was necessary from a business perspective with sponsors, investors and others."

Meanwhile, the Huns RFC amateur club, formed in 1972, will carry on with its various teams as a separate entity. The Huns compete in USA club rugby national competitions, ranging from Division 1 to Division 3.

Austin Elite is a for-profit entity. The Huns are a non-profit organization.

"We will still have a working partnership with Huns RFC, but now we also will work with all the other senior, college and youth groups in our area," Osborn said.

Nixon Field, at 4107 Nixon Lane in southeast Austin, also will undergo a name change and facilities upgrade on the 34 acres of Elite Rugby Management property near where Walnut Creek intersects with the Colorado River. The current field has a capacity of 1,800.

"Our new facility will be Stadium ATX, and it will seat around 3,000 to 3,500, with the option for further expansion in the future," said Osborn, who intends to have the upgraded capacity for the 2018 season.

Osborn said a new website, stadiumatx.com, will be up and running in the next few days.

ERM ownership consists of Osborn, Christopher Bugge, Thierry Daupin, former USA Eagles national team captain Todd Clever and new partner Christophe Lavigne.

The franchise has been transitioning to full pro status for the last few years, and the core group of players for the 2018 team will come from its 2017 USA Rugby D1 national title team. It will be reinforced by national and international signings, according to club officials.

Preseason games will start in February with the regular-season schedule to be announced. The inaugural Major League Rugby campaign is expected to have nine or 10 teams, spread from New Orleans to Seattle.

Austin Elite Rugby also plans to introduce the sport to the community through its Rugby 101 program, which will work with regional middle school programs and after-school programs through YMCA, Breakthrough Austin and other organizations.

Note: This story is clarified from a previous version.