Two AQs, Premier Cup Top 7s Weekend

Collegiate rugby delivered a pivotal weekend of Automatic Qualifiers (AQs) and a Premier Cup clash, shaping the path to 7s Nationals. At the St. Patrick’s 7s, Men’s DII champions Colorado Mesa (CMU), fresh off a 111-7 tournament sweep, aimed to better their 12-0 Final Four loss; Women’s DIII champs Drury, led by USA Eagles invitee Lauren Thomlinson, sought to avenge their three-point semifinal defeat. The Terrapin 7s offered a Men’s DI-AA bid, seeing defending National Champions NC State dominate with Sunshine 7s wins over Alabama and Florida, challenged by UMass Amherst, 10-7 Final Four losers last year. Finally, the non-qualifying Queens Cup pitted Premier Cup powerhouses like two-time defending champions Wheeling, Indiana (Yellow Rose 7s Showcase winners), and Kutztown, offering US rugby fans a crucial early pecking order before Nationals. This weekend provided essential previews of teams vying for collegiate 7s glory just two months away.