It's a big weekend in NIRA as we look at the ramifications in the Power Rankings and who might tighten their grip on a postseason spot.

We talk a bit about this in our article about the DI Power Rankings.

NIRA DI Power Rankings Released

Two games really light up, with Dartmouth at Sacred Heart in a game that will tell us a lot about how strong SHU is, and Harvard at an Army side that is improving every week.

For SHU, this has been an important few weeks as they started 2-0 in-conference.

"We are having a good beginning to the year, and we are looking forward to some fun competitive rugby in the next few weeks," said SHU Head Coach Michelle Reed, as she sees Dartmouth, Army, and Harvard over the next few weeks. "I believe the athlete-centered approach we use to collaborate with our student-athletes contributes to our growing success each year. I am happy with what we have accomplished in the short five weeks, but it needs to be sustained. Our team culture and environment, which is established by the coaches yet created and maintained by the student-athletes, will be the main determinate of how our season plays out."

Reed said her team is getting better also because the talent pool is growing, and the American players are getting better, which was a nice nod to what HS programs are doing.

Unfortunately we have a couple of cancellations/postponements, but we do have a couple of exciting DII games. AIC vs West Chester should be a fun one.