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Arizona State Unveils Tough 15s Schedule

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Arizona State Unveils Tough 15s Schedule

The Arizona State rugby program will enjoy a challenging 15s schedule this coming winter and spring, including games against many of North America's best teams.

The Sun Devils open the season against last year’s Varsity Cup and DIA Champions respectively, and follow that up with a tough PAC Conference and Varsity Cup schedule.

“This is the most challenging schedule ever presented to our team, as I said last year, to understand where we fit as a team we must play the best,” said Head Coach Gary Lane.

PAC home games will include UCLA and DIAA runners-up Arizona, which will be played back in the Arizona State Soccer Stadium, open after a year of refurbishment.

In addition, the Sun Devils will play in their first Varsity Cup match on April 4th against an opponent to be determined. ASU then finishes out the 15s season with Ohio State at “The Rugby Bowl” In Scottsdale Municipal Stadium on April 18.

“I am very proud of the professionalism of this team, and I think we are starting to see the results," said Lane. "The 7s season was a good indication that we are heading in the right direction."

The game against BYU will take place in St George, Utah on January 10, 2015. The Sun Devils will then do a quick turnaround and head to Moraga, Calif. to take on St. Mary’s on January 18. The Gaels and Sun Devils have recently started a set of annual fixtures against each other, and it should make for an interesting matchup.

2015 Arizona Sate (34) varsity schedule (subject to change; Goff Rugby Report rankings in parentheses):
Jan 10 v BYU (2) at St. George, Utah
Jan 17 at St. Mary's (4)
Jan 31 v San Diego State

Feb 14 at Cal
Feb 22 v Arizona (49)

Mar 7 v UCLA (44)
Mar 28 v Utah (48) at St. George, Utah

April 4 Varsity Cup Opening Round
April 11 v Oregon State
April 18 Rugby Bowl v Ohio State (22) at Scottsdale Municipal Stadium

The Varsity Cup covers four consecutive weeks, and so Arizona State could be playing a Varsity Cup game every weekend in April.

Note: Rankings for these teams are somewhat deflated because they have not been playing 15s in the fall, while higher-ranked teams have.