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FaZe Clan have confirmed that Håvard “rain” Nygaard will return to the team’s starting lineup for the remainder of ESL Pro League Season 22. The move comes after the organisation’s recent forfeit against G2 Esports, following a disagreement with ESL over roster eligibility rules.

The Norwegian veteran replaces Jakub “jcobbb” Pietruszewski, who will temporarily move to the bench. According to FaZe, rain’s inclusion ensures the team complies with ESL’s rulebook, which requires that at least three members from the roster listed in the July 7 ESL ranking update remain active. Rain was part of that original lineup, making him a necessary piece for FaZe to continue their EPL campaign without further conflict.

FaZe’s current roster for the event now consists of:

  • Finn “karrigan” Andersen
  • David “frozen” Čerňanský
  • Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken
  • Helvijs “broky” Saukants
  • Håvard “rain” Nygaard
  • Filip “NEO” Kubski (coach)

Once ESL Pro League concludes, rain will step back to the bench, and jcobbb is expected to rejoin the starting five for the CS Asia Championships.

Background: The G2 Forfeit Controversy

The decision to bring rain back followed FaZe’s unexpected forfeit of their opening match against G2. The incident sparked major community discussion, with fans criticising both FaZe and ESL for the situation. ESL’s strict rule regarding player retention prevented FaZe from using jcobbb, who had only recently joined the lineup.

Many fans took to forums and social media to react. Some saw the move as a “management masterclass,” while others sympathised with jcobbb, calling his benching “sad” after he performed decently in his debut tournament. “He only got one week to prove himself at Tier 1,” one commenter wrote. Others, however, felt the decision was justified, with another fan joking, “The ‘C’ in FaZe Clan stays for cinema.”

A Veteran’s Return

Despite the drama, the return of rain has reignited nostalgia among fans who remember FaZe’s dominant years. Known as one of the longest-serving players in the roster, his presence adds experience and leadership to the squad. For some, this moment feels like “nostalgia farming like it’s 2022 again.”

As FaZe resume their ESL Pro League journey, the spotlight now shifts to how the team performs with rain back in the mix. Whether this change brings stability or more controversy remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure, FaZe are once again the talk of the Counter-Strike scene.