Vermont, IUP headline crowded field of contenders

The Men’s DII playoff field is set for an electrifying Regionals weekend, promising one of the most wide-open national championship races in recent memory for US rugby fans. Defending champions #3 IUP, fresh off their 38-29 national title win over UNI last Fall, remain betting favorites, cruising to their fifth straight Allegheny Rugby Union title. Top challenger #1 Vermont boasts dominant wins over Norwich (40-12, 43-10), led by MLR draftee Jack Worobel, setting up a potential East Regional Final with IUP. Meanwhile, #2 UNC-Wilmington, the CRC 7s National Champions, continued their undefeated Fall, with Danny Marsh impressively scoring 100 points in five games, facing an immediate test against #8 Salisbury. Other crucial first-round matchups include #7 Cornell (33-8 Liberty Conference final win) against IUP, and #5 Scranton (23-20 upset over Salisbury) battling #18 Norwich, highlighting the depth vital for developing future US rugby talent.