Las Vegas, NV. - The UNLV Rugby Football Club kicks off their 2015 collegiate season this Friday, January 30, at 2pm against Varsity Cup champions BYU in Mesquite, Nev. as part of the Red Rock Invitational.

For the first time, UNLV Rugby will be entered into DIAA competition as part of the Utah Collegiate Rugby Conference governed by USA Rugby.  UNLV will be the only team from the state of Nevada in the conference and will play against other collegiate teams including BYU, Utah State, Dixie State, and more.

While rugby at UNLV has a long history, it was only recently the club decided to refocus its efforts into becoming one of the premier collegiate teams in the United States.

“Rugby at UNLV has been an official sports club since May of 2014,” said Robert Moynahan, a sophomore at UNLV and current team President. “We’ve really excelled since then, winning multiple (preseason) games before our first regular season.”

UNLV Rugby is head coached by Vaha Esikia, a former member of the 2007 USA Eagles World Cup Team and current founder of the Las Vegas Rugby Academy.  “We’re really lucky to have the coaches we have and our team has the opportunity to compete with the defending three time national champions BYU this Friday” said Moynahan.

UNLV Rugby is a student run sports club featuring athletes that are full time UNLV students. For more go to UNLVRugby.com.