Men’s All-Stars All Weekend in Atlanta

The National Collegiate Rugby Men’s National All-Stars Championship ignites this weekend at Silverbacks Park in Atlanta, bringing together over 200 of the nation's top college rugby talents across eight regional sides. This premier collegiate event, kicking off Saturday with quarterfinals and semifinals before Sunday's finals, is a vital showcase for future US rugby stars and promises thrilling, high-level competition for fans. Defending champions, the New England Independents (Red), open their campaign against the Mid-Atlantic Sharks, boasting a formidable squad including Dartmouth’s Gjergji Bacuku and Ethan Knight, and Brown scrumhalf Charm Tuala, while the Sharks feature prolific scorer Malcolm Johnson from IUP. The Great Lakes Thunderbirds, 2024 champions, return with Wheeling’s Alex Nyamunda and BGSU’s Phil Tracey, alongside Zimbabwe-capped flyhalf Takudza Musingwini, while Tri-State Foundry is bolstered by St. Bonaventure DI National Champions like playmaker Koen Webb and Prusmack Award winner Manu Taula. Other contenders include the two-time runner-up Midwest Barbarians, featuring UChicago’s Will Johnson, and the rebranded Western Bison, packed with Lonestar talent such as Sam Houston’s Drake Torno, challenging the Southeast Bears and New England White. All the action, crucial for scouting the next generation of US rugby talent, will be streamed live, with stadium matches available on NCR TV for a $12.99 weekend pass and outer field games on YouTube.