USA Rugby South Panthers vs. Capital Rugby Union Selects
By Grant FeeleyThis Saturday, December 12th, the USA Rugby South Panthers will play the Capital Rugby Union Selects at 3pm at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. The Panthers will have another high profile match in January when they travel to the Bahamas for a international ranking match against the Bahamas Rugby Union.
This is the second time that the Capital Rugby Union Selects have played this season, but the represent the first year in over ten that the Selects have played. At the end of August, the Selects beat the Empire RFU GU 96-17 in Lincroft, N.J. The Selects were comprised of elite D1-3 players from Maryland, Virgina and the District of Columbia. The Empire side was comprised of D2 Club players.
The coaching staff remains the same as in August against the Panthers. Head Coach, Chris Porter and Jeremy Frayne (Norfolk Blues), Chuck Moore (Rocky Gorge), Jon Grasso (Baltimore-Chesapeake) and Roland Pratt (Washington Renegades) make up the staff.
Over 100 players initially tried out for the side in August. In preparation for this match, a camp was held on Nov. 15 where players were narrowed to 30-35 for the last camp on Dec. 5th.
This match does have some roster changes from the Empire match. Some players that impacted that match return against the Panthers. Alex Diegel and Nick Kuhl each scored two tries against Empire, while Adam Floyd added another.
Coaches Rene Daniel – Head Coach, USARS Dr. Renaldo Arroya – Valdosta St U Francesco Balsas – Atlanta Old White
Staff Manager – Gary Kent, Columbus/Fort Benning Trainer – Sean Borman , Monster Sports Network Video – Wes Darwin, Purple Moose Media Director of Rugby – Kevin Kitto, USARS”
1. Steve Terjesen 2. Matt Carroll 3. Brian Bidder 4. Will Miller 5. Alex Czajkowski 6. Alex Diegel 7. Kevin Mott 8. Josh Brown 9. Justin Bourgeios 10. Johnny Cameron 11. Zack Schell 12. Alan Rhoades 13. Hunter Naff 14. Nick Sandoval 15. Nick Kuhl
Reserves: Adam Floyd Erick Anderson Kevin Jackson Jr Sam Johnson Eric Hagen Joanel Joseph Lindsey Cousins Jacob Milchuk
Chris Porter – Head Coach Jeremy Frayne – Forwards Chuck Moore – Forwards Jon Grasso – Backs Roland Pratt – Team Manager