GRR: Notre Dame University
University of Notre Dame and the US Naval Academy will play a rugby game in Ireland as something of a pre-amble to the much-hyped football game between the two institutions this weekend.
With the Mishipmen and Fighting Irish set to fave off at Aveva Stadium on Saturday, in a somewhat smaller venue the rugby teams will meet on Friday at Trinity College, Dublin University.
Indiana won the Fighting Irish 7s on a frigid day of competition in South Bend, showing how unity and some serious 7s experience can trump other factors.
The University of Notre Dame defeated Purdue University 38-7 Friday night in South Bend.
This non-conference game was played in front of a big, vocal crowd as this was the evening where the Notre Dame rugby program celebrated its 60th anniversary. That atmosphere didn't make it any easier for a Purdue team that has started quite well this year.
Nick Fedorenko was an accomplished football player at Notre Dame and an elite rugby player throughout the 1970s.
Friends and fans are mourning this week the untimely death of former University of Notre Dame player Zac Plantz.
Plantz, who graduated in the spring of 2015, was a charismatic and emotional leader of the Irish during his tenure there.