Which sport lets you knock into people without any padding, grab other player's butts, and then leave it all on the field by socializing with the other team after the game? It's a game called Rugby. Originating in 1823 during a football (American soccer) match in England, Rugby has made it's way over to America, and found a home in the small liberal arts college of Franklin and Marshall.

Franklin and Marshall has over 25 athletic teams. Most are recognized as NCAA sports, while there are also a few club teams. A club team cannot exist without its leaders and players. While NCAA teams recruit people to join before the student-athletes even apply to the school, the club team has to work hard to find students within the small F&M community. Each club team is full of students who love their sport, and rugby especially has a lot of heart.

Something else F&M Men's Rugby has is a lot of new equipment, including an NGAGE Rhino Rugby scrum sled. Franklin and Marshall Men's Rugby is the first team in the United States to have use of the sled. The benefit of the sled is that it rotates the scrum when is not being driven straight. Vice President of F&M Men's Rugby, Alex Romano, claims, "It allows us to get the most realistic look besides going against real people. Normally, the only teams that have the sled are pro clubs overseas."

The team has two practices a week with games on Saturdays. They practice on a full-sized rugby field that is only used for rugby and contains two brand-new goal posts. The team also utilizes new training equipment, including prowlers, ropes, speed hurdles, ladders, and rubber bands. They are a part of the EPRU rugby league, playing schools such as Susquehanna, Juniata, Gettysburg, Bucknell, and Penn State Burks.

There's no excuse not to join because there is a position on the field for everyone regardless of a player's size. Some positions, such as props and hooks, requires a small, strong players. Other positions, such as a locks, requires tall players. Go to Franklin and Marshall? Looking to make friends, get in shape, and have fun while doing it? Check out the rugby team here!