SEASON PREVIEW: Gee-Gees set to host Men’s Rugby Nationals in Nov., look to repeat as RSEQ Champions

The Gee-Gees men's rugby team is fast approaching another exciting and historic season for the program. Following their first appearance on the national championship stage in 2023, the Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship (CUMRC) will be coming to the capital on Nov. 13-17.

Knowing they're already locked in to compete at the national championship, the team is eyeing their second consecutive RSEQ title.

"We're the defending champions of the RSEQ, there is a lot of pride in that," said Gee-Gees newly appointed head coach, James Flemming. "In order to be primed for nationals we have to go defend that."

Ottawa starts their season with a rematch of the 2023 RSEQ Championship, hosting ETS on Sep. 7. The following weekend, the team hits the road to take on Concordia. Bishop's University will visit on Sep. 21 before the Gee-Gees head out for two road games. The team closes out the regular season on home turf with the Montreal Carabin visiting Matt Anthony Field.

"ETS is coming for us, and we're just going to have to fight back," said Flemming.  

The Gee-Gees return a long list of key players, including Jamie Armstrong. With three RSEQ First Team All-Star awards under his belt and captaining the team to their first ever RSEQ Championship victory, Armstrong looks to close out his Gee-Gees career with a national championship.  

2023 MVP, Glen Roy, is back in the lineup as well. Roy led the RSEQ in points, was a First Team All-Star, and broke the CUMRC single game scoring record.

"Glen Roy is going to want to come back even stronger. His brother Evan is a pillar in our front row," Flemming said. "I expect Yenam Zouzoua is going to have a chip on his shoulder and come back flying. I think Jack Chouinard is really going to surprise some people this year."

Tickets for all Gee-Gees home games, including the home opener on Sep. 7 against ETS are available for purchase HERE.