Canadian University Championship kicks off in Guelph

The inaugural Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship kicks off on Thursday as six of the top university sides from across the country travel to Guelph, Ontario, to compete for the Spence McTavish Cup. While the tournament is not an officially recognized USports competition, it has received support from the national sporting body with a long-term goal of achieving full USports status.

Headlining the competition are the UBC Thunderbirds, defending Rounsefell Cup champions and clear favorites. They are joined by regional champions Concordia Stingers of the RSEQ division and UPEI Panthers representing the Maritimes. The UVic Vikes are also present having finished tops in a qualifying tournament in Kelowna.

Conspicuously absent are the Queen’s Golden Gaels, newly crowned OUA champions. With several leading players unavailable for the tournament they have opted not to attend, and Ontario will instead be represented by runners-up Guelph Gryphons and third-place finishers McMaster Marauders.

All matches will be played at Guelph’s Alumni Stadium with a live stream available on OUA TV.

POOL A
UBC Thunderbirds
McMaster Marauders
Concordia Stingers

POOL B
Guelph Gryphons
UVic Vikes
UPEI Panthers

THU NOV 16
12:00 Eastern / 09:00 Pacific – UBC Thunderbirds vs Concordia Stingers
14:00 Eastern / 11:00 Pacific – Guelph Gryphons vs UPEI Panthers

FRI NOV 17
12:00 Eastern / 09:00 Pacific – Concordia Stingers vs McMaster Marauders
14:00 Eastern / 11:00 Pacific – UVic Vikes vs UPEI Panthers

SAT NOV 18
12:00 Eastern / 09:00 Pacific – UBC Thunderbirds vs McMaster Marauders
14:00 Eastern / 11:00 Pacific – Guelph Gryphons vs UVic Vikes

SUN NOV 19
11:30 Eastern / 08:30 Pacific – Bronze Final
13:00 Eastern / 10:00 Pacific – Gold Final