The Boys HS Rugby National Championships have finalized their invitations for the 2017 tournament at the Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Mo. May 18-20.

Twenty-four teams have been invited, split between HS Clubs and Single-School teams. Later on in the spring, these teams will be seeded to create an eight-team Tier I Single-School, and an eight-team Tier I HS Club bracket. The remaining eight teams will be combined in a Tier II bracket.

Invited Teams

Fort Hunt - Currently ranked #1 by Goff Rugby Report, this Virginia-based team won its state tournament last year and is part of the new MAPL this year. (Latest GRR Ranking: #1)

Granite Bay - One of several top teams from Northern California, Granite Bay was 2nd at the BHSRNC in 2015 and won it all in 2016. (Latest GRR Ranking: #10)

Fairfield - The Fairfield Pegasi (not to be confused with nearby Fairfield Prep) has emerged as a real player in Connecticut in the past few years. (Latest GRR Ranking: #19)

Elsie Allen - The Lobos made the national final 12 years ago, and continues to compete at a high level. While they are in NorCal's 2nd division, their results have been excellent this year.  (Latest GRR Ranking: #39)Royal Irish - This Indianapolis club has been a national contender for years, winning the HS club championship 2012, 2014, and 2015. They were runners-up in 2016. (Latest GRR Ranking: #3)

Kansas City JR Blues - About a consistent a state champion and national contender as you will find. The Junior Blues are multiple Missouri Youth Rugby winners, and have finished in the national top four four times in the last nine years. (Latest GRR Ranking: #17)

West End - The Virginia-based West End team won Tier II in 2016. (Latest GRR Ranking: #22)

United - The Utah-based United team has been at or near the top of the national championship chase for years, came 3rd the last two years, and won it all in 2013 and 2010. (Latest GRR Ranking: #4)

Doylestown - The defending Pennsylvania state champs, and part of the new MAPL, Doylestown has already logged a win over Gonzaga HS this season. (Latest GRR Ranking: #5)

Okapi Wanderers - A huge club in terms of numbers, Okapi is undefeated this year in Florida. (Latest GRR Ranking: #23)

Pelham - Built from youth programs and only recently in HS competition, Pelham was the New York runner-up in 2016, and also finished 2nd in the BHSRNC Tier II. (Latest GRR Ranking: #19)

Greenville HS - Part of the new MSIRL, Greenville is emerging as a major contender out of South Carolina. (Latest GRR Ranking: #45)

Charlotte Catholic - A member of the new MSIRL, and the defending single-school champs in North Carolina, Charlotte Catholic has started this season on fire. (Latest GRR Ranking: #14)

Jesuit - In the past nine years Jesuit has been the 1st or 2nd-place single-school team seven times, and over the Sacramento team's history won the national championship seven times.  (Latest GRR Ranking: #1)

Herriman - Multiple state champs in Utah and 3rd place in 2016, Herriman continues to produce excellent athletes.  (Latest GRR Ranking: #4)

St. Thomas Aquinas - A perennial competitor at nationals, STA is the annual Kansas state champs, and have started this season on fire.  (Latest GRR Ranking: #15)

Greenwich - The top team out of Connecticut, they finished 6th at nationals last season. (Latest GRR Ranking: #8)

Penn HS - The Indiana-based Penn has been as high as 2nd and is usually in the top 4, but hasn't quite made it to the championship podium yet.  (Latest GRR Ranking: #5)

Xavier HS - One of the few programs to win a national title during the dominant years of Highland, the New York-based school produces excellent talent and team play, and is the perennial state champs.  (Latest GRR Ranking: #2)

Gonzaga - National champions each of the last three years.  (Latest GRR Ranking: #3)

Mira Costa HS - SoCal Varsity White champs in 2016, and pipped out of the SoCal Varsity Red final in overtime this year, Mira Costa's league season is already over, but last year they re-assembled for nationals and took 7th. They are back for another shot.  (Latest GRR Ranking: #12)

St. Edward HS - The Ohio-based team won the state last season and did well to finish 5th in last year's nationals.  (Latest GRR Ranking: #6)

Fishers - Like Okapi above, Fishers has grown from a youth program with very high participation at the U14 levels, to a big player in Indiana and the Midwest.  (Latest GRR Ranking: #43)

Brownsburg - The Indiana team goes through the state meat-grinder every year and comes out a strong, competitive team that isn't afraid of anyone. Third in Tier II last yar.  (Latest GRR Ranking: #30)