It's going to be a busy day for Texas Collegiates on the rugby field!
The ARC's 7s Qualifier is at the Al Velie Rugby Complex in Norman, OK. Allied Rugby has a busy schedule of events on the day. For the ARC teams, every game means something, because every game counts for seeding purposes in consecutive ARC tournaments AND toward deciding the ARC 7s champion.
Pat Clifton of RugbyMag has shared his thoughts on this tournament. Tobi Neidy of OU Daily covered the OU story for the day. It would not surprise me to see Sooner Rugby qualifying for a trip to College Station out of this tournament - home turf and six weeks of preparation should put them over the top. Brett Mills and his Aggies are ready and raring to be today's spoiler. Texas A&M will be qualifying for the National Championships through the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference, so they stand to gain from placing as high as possible in today's tournament.
The Austin Rugby Club is having a day of rugby at Burr Field by hosting the SWC Invitational XVs Tournament in conjunction with their first match of the season with Alamo City.
Finally, the Lonestar Conference sees it's first four matches today. The I-35 Corridor come to life as Texas State's 2nd XV takes on rivals UT-San Antonio and St. Edward's 2nd XV is visited by Lamar at Burr Field before the SWC Tournament begins. Around the Metroplex, the Mustangs of SMU gallop to Wichita Falls to battle the Mustangs of Midwestern State and the University of Dallas (in Irving) crosses town to meet UT-Dallas (in Richardson).
It is good to see a lively and robust Division 2 in Texas this year. I'm especially impressed that Texas State & St Edward's have posted up 2nd XVs in the D2 competition. This will not only help develop rugby at those two schools, but will also give the remaining D2/NSCRO schools more games.
