The University of Mary Washington is ready to make the move up to D1A and has confirmed it's schedule.

“I can’t wait for the season to start,” said Head Coach Tyler Stephens, who has some work to do to being his team togeter. “We start next week (19 August) with an intense training camp that ends with a Friday night lights game against James River Strikers in Richmond, VA. That will be the night for me to really see our potential.”

With just 10 of last year’s starting XV, there will be a lot of work ahead for returning players and the new incoming class to fill coveted positions.

“As for our returning players, with the amount of seniors we graduated, what we have, is a time for guys to really step up and make a name for themselves," said Stephens. "We have a group of incoming freshmen and transfers that myself and coaching staff recruited that show a lot of promise. [I am] very excited to start our time in D1A with this new group of student athletes,” said  Stephens.

UMW joins the Rugby East this fall.

“The chemistry is strong and the potential is there this year for UMW to make themselves known," added Stephens. 

Mary Washington’s fall schedule is as follows:

23 August at James River RFC (scrimmage)
31 August at Rocky Gorge RFC (scrimmage)
7 September Kutztown
21 September at Penn State 
12 October at Wheeling Jesuit
19 October Homecoming Alumni fun match
26 October at Army 
2 November St. Bonaventure
9 November Notre Dame College 

— David Hughes