2023 Belmont Abbey Rugby Schedule

BELMONT, N.C. -- Three home matches and a competitive Southern Rugby Conference slate highlight the 2023 Belmont Abbey Rugby schedule, head coach Nick Whitrow announced today. The Crusaders play a 15s season in the fall, with a sevens schedule in the spring.

The season begins on Aug. 26 against Mount St. Mary's in Charlottesville, Va. with the match marking the first regular-season competition for any Abbey team. Five true road games follow, including the SRC opener at Lander on Sept. 22. The three home games fall consecutively during the first three weeks of October. UNC Charlotte visits Alumni Field on Thursday, Oct. 5, giving an early start to Belmont Abbey's Homecoming Weekend. The Crusaders host UNC Wilmington in a non-conference affair on Oct. 14 in what will be the program's first Senior Day. The home schedule concludes against The Citadel on Oct. 21 with the regular-season final at North Carolina State the following week.

"We are very excited about the upcoming season," Whitrow said. "With some storied opposition at the beginning of the season, followed by a local derby against Queens, then into a tough Southern Rugby Conference slate. We are particularly excited for home games the Thursday of Homecoming Week (10/5) , our first senior night and a community game. This rigorous season will show us exactly how far the program has come over the past three years and the lads can't wait to get going."