ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The Central Washington University men's rugby team is headed north of the border for a showdown against a Canadian powerhouse, the University of Victoria Vikes. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20.
 
FIXTURE INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Jan. 20
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. PST
Opponent: University of Victoria
Location: Wallace Field | Victoria, B.C.
WATCH
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH TODD THORNLEY
"What a fantastic challenge for us taking on the #2 team in Canada at their place. They are extremely well-coached, physical, and will put us under a mountain of pressure which is exactly what we need as our season gets going. We will prepare as well as we can this week and throw everything at them come Saturday, I cannot wait!"
 
ABOUT THE FIXTURE
The Vikes enter Saturday's fixture as the second-ranked team in Canada. Victoria went 3-2 in their fall season against the University of British Columbia and Trinity Western University, familiar foes for the Wildcats, and 7–5 overall.
 
It's been quite some time since the Wildcats have faced Victoria. The Crimson and Black are 2-3 all-time against the Vikes, and most recently beat them 31-29 on the road back in 2017.
 
Saturday's fixture will be the first of the season for the Wildcats. The team's first scheduled matchup of the year at the Seattle Rugby Club was canceled due to poor field conditions caused by the region's frigid temperatures. This will be CWU's first test ahead of the home opener against the University of British Columbia, slated for Jan. 27 at 12:00 p.m.