VICTORIA – The University of Victoria men's rugby team opens the 2023-24 season at Wallace Field, hosting Pacific Pride on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 3:00 p.m.
While big game experience plays a role when it comes to contending for championships, the endurance of youth will be a powerful force in the Vikes opening week.
Scott Manning, who enters his third season as head coach, is optimistic about what's to come and what the new recruits will add to the program over the next two to three years.
"It's an exciting time for us. We graduated a lot of players and senior leaders, so we recruited very competitively, and the core of our group is young and talented," said Manning.
Key Returners
Andrew Easson (fly half) and
Owen Kokan (prop) are both entering their fifth seasons with the Vikes and will undoubtedly play influential roles as the young squad looks for leadership and direction.
With a breakout season in 2023,
Ethan Smith (outside half) finished the season voted as the team's most valuable player with his ability to score tries and put points on the board.
Alex Gamage, a fly half from Calgary, AB, returns for his second season with the Vikes after a fantastic first run. Following in the footsteps of Vikes alumnus and Olympian Nathan Hirayama, Gamage stepped into the half-back position in his first year—something rarely done by a rookie. Alongside his brother Chris (scrum-half), the Gamage family will make their mark in 2023-24.
On the heels of outstanding rookie seasons,
Taine Clague (back row),
Muiredach Casey (centre) and Jordan Auger (hooker) competed over the summer for Canada's U20 men at the World Rugby Trophy Qualifier in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Climbing through the ranks from Saxons, to Norsemen, to Vikes varsity,
Merlin M'Cloud (back row) is a testament to hard work and determination as well as the benefits of the Vikes men's rugby program's structure. A now-starter, the senior engineering student spent the summer in New Zealand playing alongside former Vikes teammate
Gabe Casey for the Sumner Rugby Football Club.
Players to watch
A hotbed for rugby talent, the Vikes have historically prioritized keeping top-recruits local when possible and this season is no different, with nine Vancouver Island athletes cracking the roster.
Following three regional camps held in Vancouver, Guelph and Halifax, eight incoming UVic recruits were named to Canada's U18 men's 26-player roster, including Adam Doane, Brighton Feldman, Carter Haddow, Matthew Bennett, Spencer Cotie, Morgan Di Nardo, Josh McIndoe and Josh Petrov—a positive sign of what's to come this season.
Driscoll, Cotie and Di Nardo also represented Canada in Trinidad and Tobago at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games.
The Vikes have churned out many winning teams over the years and are always in the conversation regarding the Canadian University Men's Championship. With a solid group of returning athletes and a large contingent of incoming recruits, Manning is looking forward to what's to come.
"We were pleasantly surprised with our results last spring after graduating so many players, so we really want to build on that this season," said Manning.
Match information:
Vikes vs Pacific Pride
Saturday, Sept. 9 | 3:00 p.m. | Wallace Field
Tickets
