After a 6-1 fall season and a perfect 4-0 spring campaign, the West Virginia club men's rugby team is looking to match its success in 2010.
The Mountaineers return 12 of their 15 starters this season, a key advantage first-year head coach Jim Leonard feels will help the team. Leonard replaces long-time head coach Jon Niles.
"I feel that we will be a much strong and more experienced team this season," Leonard said. "We're going to have a lot of leaders on this team and it's going to be an exciting year."
Nick Sachelli and Jim Leonard return to lead West Virginia in the pack, while backs Eric Dukes, Bryan Thompson and Chris Vitese also return.
"This core group is the strongest we've had in years and will take the team deep into the post season," Leonard said.
Although WVU returns a good portion of its squad, it will miss captain Ryan Coster, who is still recovering from an injury suffered in the spring.
"It's tough losing a guy like Ryan," Leonard said. "But we're looking forward to the battle between Will Linscomb and Devin Cobb for the starting scrum fall position."
Though Coster will not be on the pitch for WVU, he will be with the team as a full-time coach.
Many of the Mountaineers stayed in Morgantown this summer to train for the fall. These players went through a rigorous training regime and played for the Mon River 7, a competitive local team.
The remaining players returned home and played for their competitive club teams, as well.
The Mountaineers' biggest non-league match of the season will come when they travel to Baton Rouge, La., to take on LSU. The Tigers invited WVU to a match the same weekend as the two schools' football team will square off.
Leonard feels the match against LSU will help the team gain valuable experience against a top program.
League matches against teams such as Pitt and Indiana University of Pa., will help prepare WVU to match its Sweet 16 run last season, Leonard hopes.
WVU lost a heartbreaking match 12-10 to Michigan State to end its fall season and are ready to come back for revenge.
Leonard is confident his team will benefit from the high level of competition.
"We have a tough year ahead of us," Leonard said. "But it's something that's going help us get back to where we were last season, and hopefully further."
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