RUGBY: UBC favoured to run it back

CALGARY - One. Two. Three? The UBC Thunderbirds are looking to hunt down their third straight CW Rugby 15s title this fall – a feat now backed by popular belief. In the latest coaches’ poll, the T-Birds have come out as the favourites for the season, which kicks off Friday. ​ 

UBC posted a perfect regular season record in 2021 before going on to win the school’s second-straight (and second total) CW championship. The reigning CW Player of the Year will return for her second year in blue and gold.

Victoria finished second in the poll after falling short to UBC in last year’s conference final. The team is seeking its first CW title since 2015 and second in school history. With a number of key recruits and last season’s Rookie of the Year, the team is keen to return to champion status.

The last team to accomplish a full three-peat, the Calgary Dinos, rank third after earning bronze in last year’s conference championship. The Dinos last won gold in 2018 and will be looking to resume that form in 2022. They’ll have the first chance to set the stage for the season Friday, as they host Lethbridge in the 2022 opener. The action gets underway at 1:30 p.m. MDT.

The remaining teams start their seasons on Saturday, September 10, when the Thunderbirds and Vikes get their first glimpses of each other at UBC and Alberta hosts Lethbridge. The former is slated for 1:00 p.m. PDT and the latter for 7:00 p.m. MDT. For the complete schedule, click here.

RUGBY 15s ON CANADA WEST TV

Select rugby 15s games will be available live and on demand this season on Canada West TV – the official streaming home of the conference. To purchase your pass, click here. 

2022 CW RUGBY 15s PRESEASON COACHES POLL 

Team - Points (First-place votes)

NOTE: Coaches ranked all opponents 1-4. First-place votes worth 4 points, second-place worth 3 points etc. 

Click here for your full team-by-team preview.