PREVIEW: Men’s rugby head to Montreal for playoff matchup with Stingers

Following the Gee-Gees 30-17 loss at Concordia Stadium on Sept. 19, Sam Mace made a guarantee.

"We'll be back," said the veteran back row as he left the field. 

He was right.

The Gee-Gees men's rugby team are back at Concordia Stadium to take on the Stingers in the RSEQ Semi-Final on Saturday, Oct. 30. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. and the match will be streamed live HERE.

Ottawa finished three points behind the Stingers in the standings with a 4-2 record – their first season with a winning record since entering the Quebec conference. The Stingers sit at 5-1, their lone loss coming in a stunning 27-12 decision at Bishop's University during the latter's Homecoming weekend.

Despite the lopsided score in their September confrontation, there has been little to separate the Gee-Gees and Stingers statistically. Ottawa scored more points than the Stingers (and another other team in the RSEQ) and have a superior point differential, but Concordia boasts a stingier defence.

A week after Concordia's nearly four year-long winning streak was snapped by Bishop's, the Gee-Gees went to Coulter Field and beat those same Gaiters 44-11. 

Ottawa is led offensively by Jamie Armstrong, who topped the conference with 56 points (two tries, 17 converts and four penalties). Armstrong had 17 more points than any other player in the conference, and became the all-time leader in points scored by a Gee-Gee this season. 

Not to be overlooked, Duncan Hladik was first in the RSEQ with seven tries, scoring in all but one game this season. Not to be outdone, Yenam Zouzoua and Simba Gumbo have turned in stellar rookie campaigns. 

Concordia's Arthur Amaudric Du Chaffaut will be a problem Saturday, as he's proven he can kick from anywhere this season and chip in with the odd try. Seniors Stanislas Blazkowski and Aiden McMullan have also turned in impressive offensive seasons.

This is Ottawa's second playoff berth in as many years. The 2019 campaign also saw them travel to Montreal, with the Garnet and Grey facing McGill. Despite a two-try performance from Connor Williams, Ottawa lost 37-22.

Meanwhile, the Stingers are looking to make it four RSEQ titles in a row. The championship hasn't been won by a school outside of Montreal since Bishop's took the crowd in 2003. 

The game will be streamed live HERE. Fans can also follow @GeeGeesMRUG on Twitter for updates.