Our USC Rugby pals sent us a email about a huge match this Friday.  Below are the details and do attend as it is Clemson plus it has bearings on postseason play.  Go Cocks!

Clemson University A/B  (4-4) @ #21 University of South Carolina A/B (10-0-1)
Friday, March 5th, 2010 - STWFC Rugby Field - Columbia, SC
A: 07:00 PM   B: 08:30 PM

Fans please arrive early to reserve a good space and clap USC on to the field. Those in attendance will receive a free Cock Rugby coozie (while supplies last), and a chance to win a free rugby ball at half-time. Admission is free.

Fresh off their victories over UNC Chapel Hill and East Carolina, the #21 Gamecock A-side will take on arch-rival Clemson University this Friday, March 5, at 7:00 PM on USC’s STWFC Rugby Field, located behind USC's Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center at 1000 Blossom St., Columbia, SC. After years of futility against their hated foe, USC has now beaten the Tigers in three consecutive meetings, though the sides haven’t met since the fall 2008 season. While Clemson has struggled some the past two years, this match is always intense, and USC appreciates those who are able to attend the final A & B-side home matches of the season. The Gamecocks head in to the match with a 10-0-1 record during full 80-minute matches this season, and an 18-3-1 mark overall (including shortened tournament matches). USC is also undefeated at home this season, posting a mark of 7-0-0. With a victory, USC will seal its trip to the USA Rugby South Final Four, and lock up a date with the #6 Arkansas State Red Wolves. The event, to be held this year in Murfreesboro, TN, is essentially a national ‘Round of 32,’ as the top two teams will advance to the USA Rugby National Round of 16 held in Marietta, GA and Santa Barbara, CA on April 16 & 17.

Also potentially on the line is USC’s chance at capturing the inaugural Carolinas Rugby League A-side Championship, though it will ironically need a little help from its rival. A victory with a bonus point, coupled with an N.C. State victory without a bonus point over the Tigers on March 12, will likely give the Gamecocks the first-ever CRL league title. A victory of any sort coupled with a Wolfpack loss to Clemson also ensures the CRL Championship will come to Columbia. Thanks to a bonus-point advantage and a tied match between the clubs, NC State as a 1-point advantage over USC in the standings at this time, as it was able to score 4 tries against Wake Forest while USC did not.

The A-Side match will be followed by USC's final B-side match of the spring. USC 'B' is 11-2-1 on the year, and defeated Clemson for the Rucktoberfest B-Side Championship this past October in Boone, NC. At 5-0 in league play, the Gamecocks' reserves have already clinched the CRL 2nd XV Championship, but the squad is looking to end its spring season undefeated.

The Carolinas Rugby League is USC's new spring matrix, and consists of the top 7 clubs in North and South Carolina, including USC, Wake Forest, Clemson, North Carolina, Appalachian State University, North Carolina State University, and East Carolina University. As the league is a mixture of Division I and Division II competition, it will send its top DI school into the South DI Final Four and its top two DII clubs to the South DII Quarter-Finals. The CRL will be naming its own all-star team and MVP, as selected by coaches and referees, and will reward the top club with its own trophy at the end of each season. The brainchild of former UNC head coach Andy Richards, the league is intended to limit regional clubs' travel time while promoting local growth through rivaled competition.

Please join us this Friday, as the final USC home match is make-or-break for the #21 Gamecocks. Kick-off is at 7:00 PM and, as always, admission is free.

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