The Phoenix Rugby varsity squad defeated the Charlotte Tigers 14-7 and North Mecklenburg 55-0 in a warmup weekend of games in Charlotte, NC.

The Georgia-based team, which merged with rivals Roswell during the off-season, has already defeated Charlotte Catholic and Chapin in the preseason.

The Phoenix JVs beat North Meck but lost to Charlotte.

It's been a good week for Phoenix, as a disagreement between the club and the Georgia HS Rugby Association was resolved amicably. The GHSA is working with USA Rugby to acheive official SBRO designation and will soon change its name to Rugby Georgia. 

"One of the main reasons for the name change is that our organization has grown to younger age groups," said Rugby Georgia's Daniel Pretorius. Competition in the state is now being played at the Varsity, JV (U16), and Middle School level for boys, Varsity for girls, and elementary school for both boys and girls in co-ed competition.

"Our numbers have quadrupled to 460 athletes and growing," said Pretorius.

At the Boys Varsity level, Mill Creek is now a multi-school club team and called the Titans, while Walton and Pope have merged to beocme the Barbarians. Phoenix, Trojans, and Titans will play each other twice a season, while Lambert, Barbarians, and Norsemen will play each other twice and the other three once. Four teams will make the playoffs.

"We return 20 players from our 25-strong Nationals squad from last year and have added some strong transfers from the UK and California," said Phoenix Head Coach NIall Fenton. "The merger with Roswell has added five Georgia All Stars from last year, and provides a player squad north of 50 to select from.I would opine that we are a much stronger club than was the case last year."

Phoenix beat Chartlotte Catholic 31-17 and Chapin Eagles 40-7, on the road, before this weekend's wins. Upcoming are South Doyle, McMinn County, South Greenville, and the Charlotte Ruggerfest.

"Our infrastructure has improved with 11 certified coaches on board and new club sponsors in IHOP and Allianz joining AutoNation, Cars.com, KioSentrix and Blue Calypso for 2016," said Fenton. Phoenix Rugby also has developed a partnership with the Sale Sharks of England's Aviva Premiership. Phoenix was chosen last year by the Sale Sharks marketing arm, Global Image Sports, to partner with Sale Sharks in developing youth rugby in the USA and promoting the Sale Sharks brand through events and camps throughout the Southeast USA.

"We are so excited at this partnership and feel that the access provided to the Sale Sharks coaches and academy will assist us in developing the Phoenix club and Georgia rugby," said Fenton.