Men’s Rugby Union is back in Pullman! Last season, the Cougars won the conference in seven’s play and are hoping to continue their impressive run of games.

Coach Danny Auerbach’s team has been phenomenal on the Palouse for a while, seeing dominant and action-packed outings against other collegiate rugby teams. However, this year may see some tactical adjustments. 

“We’ve changed our offense; we’re going to play around kicking,” Auerbach said. 

A whole new offense that emulates the professionals is the way to go in Coach Auerbach’s mind, attempting to get ahead of the wave that is about to hit college rugby. In terms of his goals, Auerbach keeps it simple. 

“Winning games, improving, and bringing people out,” Auerbach said. 

The team is full of fresh faces this year, such as Mathew Fee, Carter Hogue, and William Emenger, who noticed the unique culture of WSU rugby.  

“I’ve played a ton of sports and none of them have a culture quite like Rugby,” said Emenger. 

That culture was tested last season due to internal turmoil that tested group relationships.  

“The guys rallied last season and whooped cross-town rivals Idaho and Gonzaga pretty badly,” said returning player Nolan Harvil.

Rally they did as the momentum from Fall 15’s led to a dominant Spring seven’s. 

“Going into seven’s, we were on a really high note, and we started winning pretty quickly,” fellow returner Dylan Norman said. 

Both returners and newcomers have the same goal in mind: to win and head to nationals.

“For the players who went and won that conference, they’ve seen what it takes to compete with players in the big leagues,” said returner Fabius Nyagaka. 

The new faces in the locker room know the heights reached by last year’s team.

“They’ve been eligible for nationals the last few years, but just didn’t have the funds. That being said, we have a group that can really compete and make it to nationals,” said Hogue.

The Cougars will face many notable matchups in their seven-game schedule, which spans from early September to mid-November. From an Apple Cup Clash in Seattle to hosting home games versus cross-border rivals Idaho and Oregon State, Men’s Rugby is one to watch this fall.

Men’s Rugby kicks off its season against the Moscow Mules, an amateur club team, in a pre-season scrimmage this Saturday at South Fairway Playfield.