National Collegiate Rugby will field a NCR Men’s All-American against longtime Irish club Cork Constitution on Thursday, August 20.
The match will be held at the Irish Cultural Center in Canton, Mass. and will kick off at 6PM ET.
Cork Constitution competes in Division 1A of the All Ireland League (AIL), the country’s top level of amateur play. The club is 134 years old and has produced over 60 Ireland internationals.
The match marks the All-Americans’ second-straight summer hosting an AIL club, having defeated Ballynahinch, 13-10, in Quincy, Mass. last June. Cork Con finished fifth in 25/26 AIL standings and Ballynahinch eighth.
The All-Americans will assemble on Friday, August 14 and train at St. John’s Prep in Danvers, where they will play a build-up August 17.
The staff is led by NCR's Director of Rugby Thomas Clark and Head Coach Ed Turbidy, who have seen the All-Americans to a 4-0 all-time record over the program’s first two summers, including an undefeated tour of France in 2024.
Eight members of last year’s squad from the win over Hinch return for a go against Cork Con – St. Bonaventure’s Tanya Takaendisa, Reynard Boshoff, Maseah Young and Koen Webb, Mary Washington’s Aaron Juma, Dartmouth’s Gjergi Bacuku, and AIC’s Lei Schaff.
Among key players making their All-American debut is DI Player of the Year finalist Jack Waterhouse. The former age-grade South African was outstanding in his first full season at Notre Dame, and will be a key player both at lineout time and with ball in hand.
Flyhalf Gavin McNicholl is a talented young playmaker and the only Fordham player on the side. Belmont Abbey sophomore Harry Tuisila is another up-and-coming halfback, and he’s flanked by fellow Crusader, Ollie Fussell.
The lone D2 player to earn selection is UNC-Wilmington’s Maxton Buckingham. The rising senior was a finalist for DII Player of the Year, helping the Seahawks to back-to-back 7s national championships. DIII Player of the Year, Joe Moleski, is on the extended training squad.
Dartmouth’s Ethan Knight is a skilled and experienced addition to the All-American backline. He plays flyhalf for the Big Green, but he’s just as effective and capable in the centers or at fullback.
The Cork Constitution match will be played on the Irish Cultural Center’s Gaelic Athletic Association pitch, ticketed and livestreamed on NCR TV. The Monday scrimmage will be open to the public (6PM KO) but not streamed.
