Dec 7- Arizona has announced the side for their final matches of the Fall, with both teams set to take part in the 2024 Fall Classic in Spartanburg, South Carolina over the course of the weekend.​​

​

The Wildcats (6-0) will take on Mount St. Mary's (6-3) in their first match-up against the Rugby East Conference this year. Hooker Cameron Blair returns to lead the side as Captain, one of several changes from the side that defeated University of San Diego before the Thanksgiving break. Jacob Jaffe and Aiden Kemp are two standout sophomores who stick in the starting side, having built on strong first seasons and showing promise in the tight five. The back row trio of Tanner DeMassa, Troy Norman, and Andreas Andersson partner together for the first time this fall.

​

In the backs, Gustave Martinez returns from injury to start alongside Mattox King in the centers, while Emmanuel Magutakuona makes his 1st XV debut on the wing. Magutakuona will be helped along by veterans Antonio Gonzalez and vice captain Matteo Berenger. The halfback pairing of Jaocb Hall and Saxon Gerstl will get another chance to perform, having built chemistry in the preseason victories thus far.

 

A number of impact players are ready when called upon as finishers, including Scrumhalf Lucas Smith and veteran props Liam Swanson and Isaac Morrill. For the Wildcats, the challenge of cross-country travel and a new opponent is one that they are looking forward to. "We'd normally be done by now, preparing for final exams and getting ready for the holidays. To get another week of Rugby with this team is worth it, especially being a part of such a great event in the Fall Classic" said Director of Rugby Sean Duffy.

​

Mount St. Mary's comes into the contest with a strong record and varsity status, having recently defeated Southern Virginia 52-14 in their last contest. This will be the first year the Wildcats have participated in the event, with over a dozen teams slated for intriguing match-ups. Arizona 2nd XV will play a part as well, taking on Ohio State 2nd XV Saturday morning. "We felt it was important to bring two full squads, allowing us to maximize the minutes these guys get and reward them for the hard work they've put in. A special thanks to those who have helped make this possible" said Duffy.

 

Arizona 1st XV will kickoff on Sunday at 3 PM EST live on The Rugby Network.

​

For the Wildcats full schedule, click here.

​​​

1st XV vs Mount St. Mary's

 

​1- Seamus McCarthy

2- Cameron Blair- C

3- Dalton Slaughter

4- Jacob Jaffe

5- Aiden Kemp

6- Tanner DeMassa

7- Troy Norman

8- Andreas Andersson

9- Jacob Hall

10- Saxon Gerstl

11- Emmanuel Magutakuona

12- Gustave Martinez

13- Mattox King

14- Antonio Gonzalez

15- Matteo Berenger- VC
-

16- Henry Langrish

17- Liam Swanson

18- Isaac Morrill

19- Aidan Hendry

20- Sean McNulty

21- Lucas Smith

22- Sintu Mjali

23- Jackson Kutcher

​

2nd XV vs Ohio State 2nd XV

​1- Lucas Holton​​

2- Aidan McCarthy

3- Marcus Harris

4- Henry Kliavkoff

5- Matt Grau

6- Braedon Butte

7- Ben Herbes

8- Jack Bresland- C

9- Connor McIsaac

10- Will Rohrsheim

11- Nick Morgan

12- Tom Manning

13- PJ Enegren

14- Brody Johnson

15- Connor McCormick- VC

-

16- Carter Hertstein

17- Dominic Zapata

18- Kai Moananu-Apela

19- Kaelan Meyer

20- Brendan Doebel

21- Declan Postin

22- Seth Catchpole

23- Kieran Quinn

24- Blake Liddell

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​​​​