ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University men's rugby team heads to Western Washington University for a weekend fixture.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Saturday, Jan. 25
At Western Washington
1:00 p.m.
Bellingham, WA
 
QUOTABLE
"Big challenge for our young side to start the season this week against our old rival Western for the Cascade Cup," CWU Head Coach Todd Thornley said.  "Our program understands the importance of focusing on their role and staying in the fight for 80 minutess in order to start our season off on a good note. With 10 Wildcats on debut, this is invaluable experience for our group as we build into the season and finally get onto the field to show the growth we have experienced in our pre-season training block."
 
SCOUTING WESTERN WASHINGTON
The Vikings posted a 3-2 record through five fixtures during fall. 
 
They opened the fall with a 41-22 loss at the hands of the University of Victoria, before taking down Chuckanut, 37-10, on the road. They were then defeated by Oregon State in a one-possession contest, 24-17.  Western Washington played their final two fixtures of their fall schedule at home.  The Vikings went 2-0 on their home pitch.  They defeated Oregon, 29-24, before upending Oregon State, 44-7.  At home, the Vikings have outscored opponents 73-31. 
 
Last year's fixture between the Vikings and Wildcats was cancelled.  However, the Wildcats and Vikings met on March 8, 2018, during the 2017-2018 season, when the Wildcats came away with a 43-0 victory. 
 
Vili Toluta'u notched a pair of tries for the Wildcats, as he led the Wildcats to victory over the Vikings.    Central Washington had six different players ground the ball for a try. 
 
THE WILDCATS LINEUP
1   – Cam Nelson
2   – Diego Damian-Hernandez
3   – Nickolis Haviland
4   – Benjamin Malietufa
5   – Gordon Smilanich
6   – John Dupree
7   – Alexander Cleary
8   – Albert O'Shannessey
9   – Noah Wright
10 – Lewis Hollidge
11 – Falani Jennings
12 – Marques Fuala'au
13 – Calvin Liulamaga
14 – Tomy Schaeffer
15 – Jake Szumski
 
16 – Brendon Marley Ngotel
17 – Jonah Auvaa
18 – Aiden Latter
19 – Vanya Sturm
20 – Haakon Kjellesvik
21 – Mitchell Hirose
22 – Rhys Jones
23 – Cameron Jamison
 
Central Washington's lineup consists of 10 players making their Wildcat debut.