Furman releases Spring schedule

Furman Coach John Roberts has a 170-62-1 career 15s record.

The Furman rugby team has put the final touches on its spring schedule.

It includes home games against Cardinal Conference Champion Virginia Military Institute and Division I Indiana University. The Paladins will also travel to Division I power South Carolina, a team Furman defeated last spring.

Furman will host a Southern Rugby Conference Qualifier March 12 and are planning to attend the St. Patrick’s Day Tournament (Savannah, Ga) in March.

“Only playing six games last fall was very disappointing for us,” said Furman Coach John Roberts. “Heading into break we wanted to build a robust spring matrix that would get us plenty of time on the field.”

Depending on tournament formats and play-off advancement, the Paladins could play eight 15s games and 16-20 sevens contests.

Furman, which finished the fall with a disappointing 5-2 record, welcome the return of junior props Adrian Marcogliese and Jeff Tonge who were on study away last fall. Both played key roles in leading Furman to a 2014 fall conference championship and sixth place national ranking.

“We struggled some with depth and physicality in our young forwards this fall,” said Roberts. “Getting them back will lift our pack play.”

Coach Roberts said team goals for 15s will be to develop team continuity and “get a lot of guys on the pitch.”

In 7s, Furman hopes to compete for a conference title. In 2014, the team finished third. Last year, the squad finished runner up in two qualifiers but, diminished greatly by injuries, came in fifth at the conference tournament.

“With the return of some injured players and some new talent, we should be better this year in 7s,” said Roberts.

Jan. 30                  GREENVILLE                                                      

Feb. 6                    VMI (15s)

Feb.13                  at USC (15s)

Feb. 20                 INDIANA

Feb. 27                 SRC 7s at Citadel

March 5                Spring Break

March 12-13       St. Pats Tournament in Savannah (15s)

March 20             SRC 7s at UNC-G

March 22             WISCONSIN (15s)

March 26             Easter Weekend

April 2                   SRC 7s FURMAN

April 9                   OPEN

April 16                 SRC Finals at ECU