South Carolina will be representing the CRL in USA Division 1 play, taking on #8 Arkansas State in the Division 1 South Final Four. The winner of that match will play the winner of Florida vs. the Southeastern champion (Tennessee or Georgia), and the two championship game contestants will move on to the National Round of 16.

N.C. State will be the CRL’s top Division 2 seed, set to face the #2 Division 2 team from the Southeastern League, which is to be determined. At this moment, it appears the club will host Ole Miss in a neutral location.

Joining N.C. State in Division 2 action will be Appalachian State, who will likely travel to Vanderbilt.

Other qualified Division 2 playoff contestants thus far are South Florida (Florida League #1 seed), Eckerd (Florida #2), Georgia Tech (Independence League #1), and Kennesaw State (Independence #2). Unlike Division 1, which just has a semi-final round and championship (March 27th & 28th), Division 2 play also has a quarter-final round on March 20th.

With one game remaining in CRL play (N.C. State @ Clemson; Friday, March 12th), the inaugural championship will come down to either USC or the Wolfpack. A win over Clemson will give the title to N.C. State, but a tie (even with bonus) or a loss will hand the CRL’s Division 1 representative the first league crown.

“It was time for a shake-up in collegiate competition in the Carolinas. This league structure will bring together some fierce rivals that will evoke a lot of local interest,” said Carolinas Rugby League Commissioner Andy Richards.

To continue reading this article at American Rugby News,

To continue reading this article at Rugby Magazine,