Category: Rugby

Josh Shelter scores in first career MLR start

Former Vol Josh Shelter scores in first career MLR start.

Dallas defeated Anthem Rugby Carolina, 68-28, on Sunday in Major League Rugby.

Former Vol Josh Shetler made his first career MLR start. He scored a try during the 50th minute at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“What I’m really happy about is them growing as a team and us as a management group,” Anthem RC head coach Alama Ieremia said. “The adjustments made at halftime for every game so far has had a big impact, we just have to find the right recipe in terms of how we can compete from the start.”

2024 is the first season for Anthem RC competing in Major League Rugby. Shetler played on Tennessee’s national championship team in 2021.

PHOTOS: Tennessee’s 2021 championship rugby season

Josh Shetler. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

PHOTOS: Tennessee rugby hosts spring 15s in the rain

PHOTOS: Tennessee rugby hosts spring 15s in the rain

The Vols hosted two spring 15 contests at Tennessee Rugby Park on Saturday.

Tennessee’s B-side played Mary Washington (Division III) in the first game, while the Vols’ A-side competed against Lindenwood (Division I).

Mary Washington was victorious, 45-5, and Lindenwood defeated the Vols, 61-17. Tennessee is in Division I-AA.

2024 Tennessee rugby remaining spring schedule

  • Feb. 17: Alabama (Dixie Cup, 9 p.m. EST, Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
  • Feb. 24: Virginia Tech (noon EST, Blacksburg, Virginia)
  • March 1: Queens University (7 p.m. EST, Charlotte, North Carolina)
  • March 2: Oak Leaf Tournament (TBA, Nashville, Tennessee)
  • March 9: St. Patrick’s Day Tournament (TBA, Savannah, Georgia)
  • March 23: Nash Bash Rugby Tournament: (TBA, Nashville, Tennessee)
  • April 6: SCRC playoffs (TBA, Knoxville, Tennessee)
  • April 26-27: National Collegiate Rugby Championship (TBA, Washington, D.C.)
  • May 4: UT Old Boys (1 p.m. EDT, Knoxville, Tennessee)

Below are photos of Tennessee hosting spring 15s against Mary Washington and Lindenwood on Saturday.

Josh Shetler makes inaugural Anthem Rugby Carolina roster

Former Vol Josh Shetler makes inaugural Anthem Rugby Carolina roster.

Former Vol Josh Shetler has been named to Anthem Rugby Carolina’s roster in 2024.

Shetler played on Tennessee’s national championship team in 2021.

2024 will be the first season for Anthem RC competing in Major League Rugby. Anthem RC is slated to play at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be part of the first Anthem Rugby Carolina team for the 2024 MLR season, everything has I happened so quickly,” Anthem RC head coach Alama Ieremia said. “There’s been a lot of work behind the scenes to bring this team of management, coaches and players together. We are grateful and extremely excited to showcase our abilities and create something special for the team. Not just for this year, but most importantly, for the future. We are realistic and know it won’t be easy, but we are committed to pushing each other hard and accelerating our learning through the high performance environment here in Charlotte.”

Anthem RC will play its first game on March 3 versus New England at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EST.

Josh Shetler. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Tennessee rugby announces 2024 spring schedule

Tennessee rugby announces 2024 spring schedule.

The Vols will kick off its 2024 spring season on Feb. 10 versus Lindenwood University at Tennessee Rugby Park.

Below is Tennessee’s spring schedule, including dates for the SCRC playoffs, National Collegiate Rugby Championship and UT’s Old Boys game.

2024 Tennessee rugby spring schedule

Feb. 10: Lindenwood University (noon EST, Knoxville, Tennessee)

Feb. 10: University of Mary Washington (TBA, Knoxville, Tennessee)

Feb. 17: Alabama (Dixie Cup, 9 p.m. EST, Tuscaloosa, Alabama)

Feb. 24: Virginia Tech (noon EST, Blacksburg, Virginia)

March 1: Queens University (7 p.m. EST, Charlotte, North Carolina)

March 2: Oak Leaf Tournament (TBA, Nashville, Tennessee)

March 9: St. Patrick’s Day Tournament (TBA, Savannah, Georgia)

March 23: Nash Bash Rugby Tournament: (TBA, Nashville, Tennessee)

April 6: SCRC playoffs (TBA, Knoxville, Tennessee)

April 26-27: National Collegiate Rugby Championship (TBA, Washington, D.C.)

May 4: UT Old Boys (1 p.m. EDT, Knoxville, Tennessee)

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Tennessee rugby defeats South Carolina, advances to championship game

Tennessee rugby defeats South Carolina, advances to championship game.

No. 4 Tennessee defeated No. 7 South Carolina, 36-21, in the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference Tournament semifinals.

The Vols outscored South Carolina, 22-7, in the second half.

Tennessee advances to the SCRC Tournament championship game. The Vols will play Kentucky on Saturday in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Kickoff between the Vols and Wildcats is slated for 3 p.m. EST.

The 2023 season is the second for Tennessee under head coach Scott Tungay.

Tennessee’s 2023-24 leadership team consists of Luke Mathis (president), Matthew Beacom (vice president), Michael McGettigan (treasurer), Jarrett Self (secretary) and Brendan Bibb (sargent at arms).

PHOTOS: 2023 Tennessee rugby Old Boys game

PHOTOS: Tennessee rugby kicks off 2023 season with win versus Rio Grande

No. 4 Tennessee rugby defeats Kennesaw State, 58-7

No. 4 Tennessee rugby defeats Kennesaw State, 58-7.

No. 4 Tennessee (6-1) defeated Kennesaw State, 58-7, on Saturday at Tennessee Rugby Park.

The Vols celebrated senior day on Saturday.

Tennessee’s lineup versus Kennesaw State (seniors in bold):

1. Eli Christoph/Leo Bonifacio 32’/Aidan O’Connor 40′
2. Brendan Bibb/Toby Fagan 40′
3. Will Bond
4. Dane Whitney
5. Calvin Miley/Dixon 45′
6. Jarret Self/Ted Naeher 12′ (blood)/Self 16′
7. Luke Mathis/Noah Dixon 40’/Barone 45′
8. Mathew Beacom/Ted Naeher 40′
9. Luke O’Reilly
10. Wes Brondos
11. Stone Wilkinson
12. Elliot Christoph/Will Grant 40′
13. Michael McGettigan/Joey Barone 40’/Max Ponce 45′
14. Brayton McCann
15. Patrick Carey

Tennessee’s 2023-24 leadership team consists of Luke Mathis (president), Matthew Beacom (vice president), Michael McGettigan (treasurer), Jarrett Self (secretary) and Brendan Bibb (sargent at arms).

PHOTOS: 2023 Tennessee rugby Old Boys game

No. 7 Tennessee rugby defeats LSU, 87-0

Tennessee rugby defeats LSU, 87-0.

No. 7 Tennessee (4-1) defeated LSU, 87-0, on Saturday at Tennessee Rugby Park.

Tennessee led the Tigers, 47-0, at halftime.

The Vols will next play at Alabama on Oct. 20.

Tennessee kicked off its 2023 season, defeating Rio Grande, 30-10. The Vols were victorious, 33-27, at South Carolina, while also winning at Georgia, 19-5.

Clemson hosted and defeated Tennessee, 27-26, on Sept. 23.

Tennessee’s 2023-24 leadership team consists of Luke Mathis (president), Matthew Beacom (vice president), Michael McGettigan (treasurer), Jarrett Self (secretary) and Brendan Bibb (sargent at arms).

The 2023 season is the second for Tennessee under head coach Scott Tungay. Tungay guided the Vols to a 6-2 record in 2022.

PHOTOS: 2023 Tennessee rugby Old Boys game

No. 6 Tennessee rugby defeats Georgia, 19-5

No. 6 Tennessee rugby defeats Georgia, 19-5.

No. 6 Tennessee (3-1) defeated Georgia, 19-5, on Friday in Athens, Georgia.

The Vols led, 7-5, at halftime. Luke Mathis scored two tries for Tennessee.

50 student-athletes for Tennessee traveled to Georgia.

Tennessee kicked off its 2023 season, defeating Rio Grande, 30-10. The Vols were victorious, 33-27, at South Carolina.

Clemson hosted and defeated Tennessee, 27-26.

Tennessee’s 2023-24 leadership team consists of Luke Mathis (president), Matthew Beacom (vice president), Michael McGettigan (treasurer), Jarrett Self (secretary) and Brendan Bibb (sargent at arms).

The 2023 season is the second for Tennessee under head coach Scott Tungay. Tungay guided the Vols to a 6-2 record in 2022.

PHOTOS: Tennessee rugby kicks off 2023 season with win versus Rio Grande

PHOTOS: Tennessee rugby kicks off 2023 season with win versus Rio Grande

PHOTOS: Tennessee rugby kicks off 2023 season with win versus Rio Grande

Tennessee kicked off its 2023 rugby season Saturday at Tennessee Rugby Park.

The Vols defeated Rio Grande, 30-10.

Tennessee’s 2023 home schedule features contests versus Rio Grande (W, 30-10), Queens University, LSU and Kennesaw State. The Vols will play at South Carolina, Clemson, Auburn, Georgia and Alabama.

Tennessee’s 2023-24 leadership team consists of Luke Mathis (president), Matthew Beacom (vice president), Michael McGettigan (treasurer), Jarrett Self (secretary) and Brendan Bibb (sargent at arms).

The 2023 season is the second for Tennessee under head coach Scott Tungay. Tungay guided the Vols to a 6-2 record in 2022.

Below are photos of Tennessee’s season-opening win versus Rio Grande at Tennessee Rugby Park.

PHOTOS: 2023 Tennessee rugby Old Boys game

PHOTOS: 2023 Tennessee rugby Old Boys game

Tennessee held its annual Old Boys rugby game on Saturday at Tennessee Rugby Park.

The Vols will kick off its 2023 regular-season on Sept. 8 versus Tennessee Tech.

Tennessee’s 2023 home schedule features contests versus Tennessee Tech, Rio Grande, Queens University, LSU and Kennesaw State. The Vols will play at South Carolina, Clemson, Auburn, Georgia and Alabama.

Tennessee’s 2023-24 leadership team will consist of Luke Mathis (president), Matthew Beacom (vice president), Michael McGettigan (treasurer), Jarrett Self (secretary) and Brendan Bibb (sargent at arms).

The 2023 season will be the second for Tennessee under head coach Scott Tungay. Tungay guided the Vols to a 6-2 record in 2022.

Below are photos of Tennessee’s Old Boys game on Saturday as the 2023 team played the Vols’ alumni.