One obstacle for the Lady Ruggers this weekend besides their tough opponents is their health status.

The team will have to overcome the loss of depth at the flyhalf position, one of the most critical roles on the field. Former starter Emma Holland, who broke her arm in practice for the Mid Atlantic Rugby Football Union tournament several weeks ago, has not returned as hoped, leaving Meg O'Melia as starter.

After a dominant unbeaten regular season and a run to the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union championship, the Lady Ruggers are heading to the national Sweet Sixteen tournament at the Seminole County Training Facility with the national No. 2 seed in hand. Getting to the Final Four means first a win over the Oregon Ducks tomorrow morning at 10, then a win over the Princeton/Massachusetts survivor on Sunday.

But there is a problem. The problem is certainly not O'Melia's play, as she is the team's leading scorer this spring season with 74 points (four tries and 27 conversions). O'Melia also said she has been the flyhalf the past two seasons at the national championships, so it is not a role she is unaccustomed to. The problem is rather that if something would happen to her the team would have to make line-up shuffles that would weaken the team in other areas.

Lady Ruggers coach Peter Steinberg has likened the importance of the flyhalf in rugby to the importance of the quarterback in football. The flyhalf is responsible for setting up the offense by organizing the backfield by making passes and keeping possession of the ball.

"The worst part (of being flyhalf) is having to take control of the game," O'Melia said.

If O'Melia would be injured or need a break from the hot Florida sun, Steinberg said he would turn to team captain Claudia Knudsen to take over as flyhalf, somewhat weakening the front field.

"I think it'd be the only position that would require some serious shuffling," Steinberg said. "I'm not too concerned about it."

No matter who plays the position, the flyhalf will be under scrutiny the entire game. As center Christie Winkler observed, the backs may need to step up for the Lady Ruggers to be successful. Despite the flyhalf dilemma, the Lady Ruggers know they are in a good position.

"Personally, I think we're very good going in," she said. "I just don't know if we trust each other quite yet. It's something that can happen instantly, in the heat of the game with passing, though."

"I definitely can sense some over-confidence," said prop Jess Graham. "We have to know we're good, but we have to stay calm. We have to look to play and not look over any team."

The team knows from experience to look out for the lower seeds. The Lady Ruggers were the No. 13 seed in 2000 and No. 10 seed in last year's tournament, making the title game both times.

Winning out this weekend would mean the possibility of the team's seventh championship game appearance in the last eight seasons. In two of their appearances, the Lady Ruggers have won the national title, and the team is certainly looking forward to the possibility of a third.

"I have a statement to make," Knudsen said. "We are running on fabulous momentum and we are going to take this all the way to the Final Four."