VANCOUVER, B.C. - The Central Washington University men's rugby team is ready to get their season underway with a matchup against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 1:00 p.m.
 
MATCH INFORMATION
Saturday, January 21
1:00 p.m. PST
At University of British Columbia
Gerald McGavin UBC Rugby Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia
WATCH
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH TODD THORNLEY
"It's a fantastic way to start off our season taking on a very impressive side who have played a lot of great rugby this year. UBC have been the leaders of College Rugby in North America for a long time, so we are well aware of the huge challenge ahead of us. When we have been training so long with no competitive games, it is always hard to get a true sense of where we are at. After Saturday, we will know exactly where we are at. Bring it on!"
 
SCOUTING THE THUNDERBIRDS
British Columbia started their season back in September, and have accumulated a 7-3 record. Last weekend, the Thunderbirds knocked off top-ranked Saint Mary's in California by a final score of 33-28.
 
At the helm for the Thunderbirds is Head Coach Curry Hitchborn, who's led the team since May 2018. During his reign, the team has won three Canadian University Rugby Championships.
 
ABOUT THE WILDCATS
The 'Cats are coming off of a 9-6-1 campaign in 2022. Last year, the team fell just short of a few upsets in matchups against top-10 teams in the nation, but they surpassed the #13 Arizona by a score of 60-13.
 
In the first round of the D1A Playoffs, the Wildcats beat Cal Poly 62-17 before falling to Cal in the second round 26-43.
 
The Crimson and Black are coached by Todd Thornley. Since July 2016, when Thornley was named Head Coach, the Wildcats have a 49-20-1 overall record. He's had 11 players move to the professional ranks, including 10 in Major League Rugby and one into the Japan Rugby League One. Thornley has also produced around 25 All-Americans.