Men’s NCR Division I (D1) is a top-tier collegiate rugby division organized by National Collegiate Rugby (NCR), featuring the most competitive and well-developed university programs across the country. Membership is based on rugby performance and program strength rather than school size, allowing both large public universities and smaller private institutions to compete at this level. Teams in D1 play regionally during the regular season and advance to national playoffs to determine the champion. The division represents the highest standard of competition within NCR’s collegiate structure, showcasing elite play and program excellence.
RuggaMatrix: Following the ... You Know
Our last episode of RuggaMatrix America saw Alex Goff speak with Jeremy Ognall about the rift between CRAA and NCR, and what he sees as issues—issues he has been dealing with as an intermediary.
See that episode here:
Catholic University Elevates Status of Men's Rugby Program
Catholic University men's rugby has been elevated on campus for the fall of 2025, with the program moving from being a club sport to a Premier Team Sport.
The program will still be run under the Athletic Department, and longtime Head Coach John Solomon will be an employee of the school starting July 1, but it won't be full varsity.
NCR Making Staff Shifts
National Collegiate Rugby is making a series of strategic staff realignments and role expansions.
NCR will double its full-time staff from four to seven, and will also create some part-time roles while also eliminating some other positions.
NCR Griffins Return from Algarve 7s With Impressive Records
After going 3-0 on Day One of the Algarve 7s, the NCR Griffins select team ran the table to win the Open Division at the Portuguese tournament.
The Griffins beat GD Dirieto in the quarters 17-10, CR Évora 33-12 in the semis, and, in the final, shut out Clonasti Scombinati 28-0.
Good Day One for NCR Teams at Algarve
The NCR Griffins teams found themselves on the winning side at the Algarve 7s in Portugal on Saturday.
The Griffins women did lose their opener, but that was to the Kazakhstan national team and it was close, 22-17.
But after that they blew past Ubuntu (a Portuguese team) 43-0 and St. Andrews 57-0.
For the men's team, it was a 3-0 day.
