MORAGA, Calif. - After a hot start to their season, the Central Washington University men's rugby team is set for potentially their toughest challenge yet, the Saint Mary's Gaels. Kickoff is slated for 12:00 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 11.

FIXTURE INFORMATION:

• Date: Saturday, Feb. 11
• Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. PST
• Opponent: Saint Mary's
• Location: Saint Mary's Stadium | Moraga, Calif.
• WATCH

QUOTING HEAD COACH TODD THORNLEY:

• "Another week on the road and the challenge does not get much bigger than this. We have the upmost respect for Gael Rugby, their coaching staff and the powerhouse the have been in collegiate rugby for over the past decade. We have our work cut out for us, but if we focus on working hard for each other and executing the basics of the game at pace then this could be a barn burner of a game."

PREVIEWING THE GAELS:

• Dating back to October 2022, the Gaels have a record of 5-3, including a 5-1 record at home.
• Most recently, Saint Mary's traveled overseas to take on the likes of Cambridge, Oxford and Trinity College. The Gaels' A-Side and B-Side both fell in close affairs to Cambridge but rebounded in victories over Oxford. They also closed out the Trinity College u20's 33-26.
• Saint Mary's only home loss came to the hands of the British Columbia Thunderbirds, a team the Wildcats overcame 32-17 in their 2023 season opener.
• In 2022, the Gaels made a deep run in the D1A playoffs but ultimately fell to Army in the D1A National Championship game by a score of 8-20.
• The Crimson and Black have yet to beat the Gaels in their history with an 0-4 record against Saint Mary's. Their most recent matchup was last season at Tomlinson Stadium, where the Wildcats lost a nail-biter 27-30.
• This will be the Wildcat's final road test before their long-awaited home opener on Friday, Feb. 17, versus the Trinity Western Spartans.