(Written by Austin Willis) - The Furman Paladins Rugby Club will be looking to exact revenge on their Southern Conference rivals after the unfortunate endings to the last two seasons.

In the fall of 2015 the Paladins handily defeated their opponents in the regular season contests, but a late-season loss to UNC Wilmington cost Furman a trip to the National Championships, the final games of which were held on Furman's home field.

“I’d be lying if I said that loss doesn’t stick with me, but that is our motivation to get revenge on this league,” said senior flyhalf Jacob Milchuk.

In the Spring the Paladins played four non-conference games against a some powerhouse rugby teams, beating VMI, beating to South Carolina and losing to Clemson (in a close one), and tying Indiana.

After being down by more than 20 points at the start of the second half against IU, the Paladins rallied to tie the game 41-41 as time expired. This upset result carried heavy momentum into the spring 7s season as Furman went 13-5 winning their home tournament and delivering second place at the Citadel tournament. The boys in purple went on the road to ECU for the biggest tournament of the season where they suffered a heartbreaking loss in the Conference Championship Tournament.

With spirits crushed and a graduating senior class out the door the Paladins responded to the call. Beginning in early August the Rugby team began “two-a-day practices that brought the toughness and grit of the team to a new level,” said starting flanker John Williams.

Furman began the season at VMI and brought home a 50-10 victory. The following weekend UNCG handed Furman a forfeit victory by choosing to not to make the trip to Greenville, giving Furman a 28-0 win. As the conference season begins the boys in purple will start their run at Elon. Starting prop Jeff Tonge said: “the team is hungry, and we’re bringing two spoons when we head on up to Elon.”

A hungry Furman team has the goal of playing in the final four in the College Rugby National Championships, expected once again to be hosted at Furman’s own John Roberts Field.

“To play at home in the final four for my senior season would mean everything. I’ve seen this club build and grow in mine time here and I feel great about this team and this group of personalities and I know we have winners,” said senior flanker Miles Lerner.

After last week's hurricane-induced postponements, it's still early days in the South DII Conference. Furman won by forfeit, while Appalachian State defeated Wake Forest 30-11 behind tries from Austin Johnson, Liam Winters, and Jack Foreling. UNC Charlotte slammed Elon 81-12. No. 8 Ryan Johns and Josh Summers both scored three tries.

This week six teams are in action, including the other team (along with Wake Forest) that joined the conference from the old DI ACRL - North Carolina.