The Penn State men's rugby team, which was scheduled to take on the University of North Carolina, will instead play James Madison University tomorrow.

A scheduling conflict came up and North Carolina had to cancel. James Madison contacted Penn State to set up tomorrow's game.

"The last time we played them was two springs ago and we beat them pretty bad," senior John Grace said. "But teams can change real quick, so I'm not expecting a pushover."

JMU already has three games under its belt. For Penn State, this will be their first game of the season, but the team feels that it is physically ready to meet the challenge.

"Obviously with game play, they have the edge," Grace said.

"But we've been having really great practices. We've been conditioning twice a week since this semester started and guys are working hard in the off season. So, I'm not really concerned with that."

In preparation for the start of the season, the Ruggers have been working on a few things.

"We want to sure up our defensive patterns," Penn State men's rugby coach Terry Ryland said, "so that the game is continuously moving. We have been trying to build continuity between players.

"I believe that they (JMU) have some good speed. They have two or three talented forwards. It's going to be a real challenge."

Besides conditioning twice a week to help their game, the Ruggers have just finished their clinic. Each year, different internationally and nationally recognized coaches come to the clinic to work with the players. With all of the scrimmages and clinics, the players are eager to get out there and play their first game.

"We've been scrimmaging a lot against each other and we are really itching to run into people who we aren't friends with," Grace said.

"For almost three months now we've just been running into each other and I really don't think, since this is our first game, that you have to get the team too pumped up. It just kind of happens on its own."

Leading the team tomorrow will be two-time All Americans Matt Wyatt and Grace. National team member John McGeachy and Brendan Boyle will lead the backs.

"The most important thing that I am trying to stress to the guys and the new guys especially, is that the game is mainly about attitude," Grace said. "Just go out there with a good attitude and visualize before hand what you want to do."

Ryland said that the strength of his team will be in ball retention.

"That comes from playing and having confidence in your teammates. I expect that it will be a good game."