The age-grade select-side tournament that ruled the roost for many years is back, and just in time, too.

The Rocky Mountain Challenge, which started in 2001, is returning after two years off for the 2022 edition. Freed from USA Rugby's ill-executed and ill-advised attempts to control these types of tournaments, the RMC is back and better than ever.

Erik Geib has come in as Tournament Director, working closely with longtime father of the RMC, Bob Lesnansky, to bring the event back to the Denver area. 

For more information about the 2022 Rocky Mountain Challenge, go to: rmcrugby.org

Expanded List of Brackets

The tournament is designed for select 15s teams to play against other high-level teams. The event will have eight brackets, with U14, U16, and U18 for Boys and for Girls. In addition to those six brackets, competitions for U23 Men and U23 Women will be held for the first time ever. Slated for June 17-19, 2022 at the Aurora Sports Park in Aurora, Colo., the tournament will provide athletic trainers, top referees, an excellent rugby venue, and exposure to some of the best competition in the country.

“I think it’s an important part of American rugby history because it was the first, and I think it’s important to remember American rugby history and what brought us to where we are," said Geib. "There’s a standard that’s been met in terms of fields, officiating, and organization, that is the standard that we think this level of competition deserves.”

Colorado, added Geib, is also a nice destination for these teams. The state provides many easily-accessible and fun excursions to areas of great natural beauty. In addition, because the tournament is held so near the USA Rugby national office, they tend to get a large number of scouts at the tournament.

“We’re taking player exposure seriously,” said Geib.

"The Rocky Mountain Challenge has been the granddaddy of all-star tournaments, showcasing talent over the years," said Eagle Impact Rugby Academy Director Salty Thompson. "It will be great to see it return in 2022."

The Rocky Mountain Challenge began in 2001 with just a Boys U18 competition (won by Heart of America). This bracket was held from 2011 to 2019 before the COVID pandemic halted events of this type for two years. Twelve different teams have won the Boys U18 bracket in its 19 years of existence. The first Girls U18 bracket was held in 2010 and became a regular thing in 2014. In the last six year, four different teams have won. A Boys Tier II was added in 2007 (now a U16 bracket) and teams from Texas, Utah, Northern California, Southern California, and Indiana have won there. Girls Tier II and Boys middle-school (U14) were added in 2016 and a Girls middle-school (U14) was added in 2019 (won by 5785).

Over 20 Years of Elite Rugby

The Rocky Mountain Challenge has seen many future internationals get their first taste of high-level travel team rugby, and will do so again.

This is the oldest, biggest, and most comprehensive select-side tournament for young players, and its return is a sign that these types of tournaments are coming back. One of the rules that USA Rugby installed that made hosting these events difficult was a cap on the entry fee. That cap was based on expense estimates not based on reality. With insurance, referee support, medical support, and player amenities all becoming more important (and more expensive), the entry fees have to reflect that. Estimates are that the RMC entry fee will be about $750, which is a fraction of a team's travel budget, but hugely important for a tournament of this type to survive financially.

For more information about the 2022 Rocky Mountain Challenge, go to: rmcrugby.org