VICTORIA, B.C. – The University of Victoria is set to host the second annual Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship presented by title sponsors Victoria Mitsubishi and Carson Automotive Group and corporate sponsors Pemberton Holmes Ltd. and the Canadian Rugby Foundation. The six-team schedule includes Guelph Gryphons, Queen's Gaels, UBC Thunderbirds, Victoria Vikes, Concordia Stingers and the University of New Brunswick Ironmen.
 
In last year's inaugural tournament, Guelph played hosts to six teams including returnees this year Victoria, UBC and Concordia, as well as McMaster and Prince Edward Island. The Thunderbirds won the tournament with a 37-12 win over Victoria, while McMaster earned bronze ahead of hosts Guelph.
 
In the West, UBC enter as the top seed after the Thunderbirds toppled the Calgary Dinos 103-3 in a Western qualifier and the Vikes qualified as hosts. Both UBC and Victoria also compete in the BC Rugby Premier League, competing against the province's top senior men's teams. The Thunderbirds are currently 5-2 in their premier league games, including a rivalry win over the Vikes, 45-26 as part of the Wightman Boot and Legends Cup series. UBC have a talented forward pack with good balance in positions including forwards James Carson, Calixto Martinez and Jacob Ikeda, while UBC backs Cole Keffer and Fraser Hurst will also be key.
 

The Vikes are 4-3 in Premier League play and are led by fifth year Ollie Nott, fourth years Gradyn Bowd and Crosby Stewart and third year James O'Neill.
 
The Queen's Gaels enter this year's championship undefeated with an 8-0 regular season record and winning the 2018 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) banner after a 48-10 win over the Guelph Gryphons. Despite being OUA champions last year, the Gaels chose not to compete in the inaugural championship in 2017. Queen's are led by 2018 OUA Coach of the Year David Butcher and all-stars Patrick Lynott, Lachlan Devir, Nicholas De Lallo, Brendan Blaikie and Tristan Ruse.
 
OUA runners-up Guelph finished with a 7-1 record this season, losing only to Queen's, and finishing second at the conference championship, also to the Gaels. The Gryphons had two OUA All-Stars in scrum half Riley Dinardo and back row Marcello Wainwright. Wainwright was a member of the Ontario Blues team that won the Mactier Cup this past August.
 
Concordia will be the lone representatives from Quebec after the Stingers edged Bishop's in the conference final by 22-20. The Stingers are led by Jonathan Banks who has 60 points (24 conversions and four penalty goals this season), while the team's leading try scorer is Michael Laplaine-Pereira with five tries on the season. Concordia's Lucas Hutton was a member of the 2018 Atlantic Rock, who finished second at the Canadian Rugby Championships.
 
The New Brunswick RFC Ironmen will travel the furthest as they qualify as representatives from the Maritimes. The Ironmen faced off with Acadia for the lone berth and an impressive 39-0 win secured their spot. In their final, Eric Duplessis had a hat trick, while Adam Cousins, Billy Hornaday and Mike Stewart had singles. Andrew Peppard was 4-for-6 on converts.
 
The tournament will be played at Wallace Field and Centennial Stadium, with all games webcast live on the Rugby Canada Facebook page. Tournament ticket packages and single day passes are available online at govikesgo.com/tickets.
 

2018 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Wednesday, November 21
12 noon – UBC vs. Concordia @ Wallace Field
2 p.m. – Queen's vs. New Brunswick @ Wallace Field
 
Thursday, November 22
12 noon – UBC vs. Guelph @ Wallace Field
2 p.m. – Queen's vs. Victoria @ Wallace Field
 
Friday, November 23
4 p.m. – Guelph vs. Concordia @ Centennial Stadium         
6 p.m. – Victoria vs. New Brunswick @ Centennial Stadium
 
Saturday, November 24
2 p.m. – 5th Place Final @ Wallace Field
 
Sunday, November 25
11 a.m. – Bronze Medal Game @ Centennial Stadium
1 p.m. – Gold Medal Game @ Centennial Stadium
 
POOL A: UBC, Guelph, Concordia
POOL B: Queen's, Victoria, New Brunswick