Men’s NCR Division I (D1) is a top-tier collegiate rugby division organized by National Collegiate Rugby (NCR), featuring the most competitive and well-developed university programs across the country. Membership is based on rugby performance and program strength rather than school size, allowing both large public universities and smaller private institutions to compete at this level. Teams in D1 play regionally during the regular season and advance to national playoffs to determine the champion. The division represents the highest standard of competition within NCR’s collegiate structure, showcasing elite play and program excellence.
Good Start in ARC for Cardinals, Bonnies
The newly-minted ARC conference kicked off this weekend with St. Bonaventure and Wheeling logging impressive wins.
This conference was created by five NCR teams that used to be in the Rugby East, plus Wheeling out of Big Rivers. This conference will (as we understand) get five playoff spots into NCR's D1 postseason, so it is expected to be competitive.
Walsh Takes Hard-Hitting Affair Over Notre Dame
Walsh University hosted University of Notre Dame Friday night in North Canton, OH and the Cavaliers opened their season with a well-taken victory over the Fighting Irish.
The scoreline, 38-17, doesn’t quite tell the story, as Notre Dame tested Walsh repeatedly.
Already Big Games in D1 Action
Over 60 D1-level college teams are playing this weekend.
Some of these games are hugely important conference matchups—Texas A&M at Baylor on Friday evening, Bowling Green vs Cincinnati, Iowa at Iowa State (!). Some are still quote-unquote warmups.
Men NCR D1 Rankings Week 1 2025
As we unleash the GRR NCR D1 rankings we fully recognize that this is way too early.
Dufek Retained as NCR's Director of Men's Rugby
National Collegiate Rugby has been undergoing some staffing changes—adding staff and consolidating some positions—and this week announced that current Director of Men’s Rugby, Brad Dufek, will be retained in that position.
