Friday Night Rugby, National Collegiate Rugby’s live-streamed game of the week, kicks off its third season Friday in St. Louis, MO with a Men’s Division II rivalry from the Gateway Conference. Washington University travels the five miles down I-64 to take on defending league champion Saint Louis University at 7 p.m. ET on The Rugby Network.
The Billikens and Griffins have been two of the most consistent programs in the Gateway in recent years, with veteran coaches at both helms. Led by Andy Wenger, SLU is replacing a large departed senior class with a big recruiting haul. Players with experience at Jesuit high schools throughout the country often matriculate to SLU, stocking the Bills’ cupboards with consistent talent.
Junior prop Sean Smith is a hard runner and big tackler, and he’s taken the role of club president. Ian Feagin, an excellent jumper in lineouts and a hard charger off the back of scrums, returns at No. 8. And junior wing Sean Volcy provides plenty of pace on the wing.
Bryce Krug returns for another season as coach of Wash. U, where the Griffins are adjusting to life after star flyhalf Sandro Celebidachi, who has graduated. Filling his boots could be either SoCal sophomore Sean Kim, who played scrumhalf last season and flyhalf in 7s, or Josh Sidelsky, who returns from studying abroad having worn 10 and 15 for the Griffins in the past.
Up front, Wash U. is traditionally bigger than SLU. The Griffin pack is led by lock Cole Wofford, who comes from the vaunted Gonzaga College Prep high school program. He’s been a stalwart for Wash U. and, along with senior prop Brian Sweeney, provides a lot of physicality and aggression. Alex Porras was studying abroad last semester, but his return, and background in wrestling, MMA and football, will help the Griffins win the hard yards, too.
SLU opened its fall campaign with a 34-5 loss to DI-AA Missouri last week.
“We started a little unsure because we graduated quite a few seniors, but the guys got out there and really did well on defense. They tackled and tackled and didn't give up,” said SLU head coach Andy Wenger. “We were on their end of the field for the majority of the second half. We need to work on our attack, because we didn’t score, but we had some good plays, and for our first game against a DI opponent, we were happy with the result.”
Wash U.’s preseason consisted of a friendly scrimmage with a local men’s club side, the St. Louis Hornets. It gets serious quickly, as Friday’s result could go a long way toward deciding the Gateway crown. And a year’s worth of bragging rights is on the line over the team right down the road. If recent results are any indication, Friday could come down to a few plays or the bounce of the ball.
“They have a very consistent work ethic. They have a system. They play hard. They make you make your tackles and defend. They have a mature program with a good coach and a bunch of good kids,” said Wash U. head coach Bryce Krug of SLU.
“We’re maybe four miles from each other as the crow flies. It was always a rivalry, but after COVID we emerged as the two teams who were really improving, and we’ve had some really close matches. We’re playing for hometown pride.”
See the full Friday Night Rugby lineup here: 2024 Friday Night Rugby Lineup
