Last year, the Penn State men's rugby team came off of an undefeated fall schedule to advance to the national semifinals. This spring, the Ruggers (8-1) hope to achieve the same second-half success.

The team has a strong core of players who will each contribute to the upcoming run at the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union (MARFU) Championship.

"We have a lot of players returning that could have a great impact on our team," Penn State coach Don Ferrell said.

Among these players are two returning All-Americans: flanker Leau Auggie and No. 8 Matt Miller. Also coming back is flyhalf Justin Hundley, who returns from playing on the USA Rugby Sevens Team in New Zealand. Ferrell believes that there may be some other up-and-coming stars as well.

"I'm really excited to see who steps up this year," said Ferrell.

The Ruggers will be getting some additional help this spring as the Ruggers have brought on strength and conditioning trainers. Ferrell hopes that their addition to the team's practices will take Penn State to the next level and give them a better shot at achieving its goal of reaching the national championship.

This season, the Ruggers will have to contend with some formidable opponents. The spring schedule begins with a match against Philadelphia Whitemarsh RFC, who plays in the MARFU Super League. Over spring break, the team will travel overseas to play against teams from England and Wales. Before the national tournament begins, they will be matched against the New York Athletic Club, who won last year's Division I Super League National Championship.

If the team makes it into the national round of play, it will have the comfort of playing in its own backyard, as Penn State is one of the sites that play host to the Sweet 16.

Last season's run to the national semifinals was the first appearance in the championships since 2001 when they lost to the California-Berkeley, in the finals. The Ruggers have not won a national championship since tournament play began in 1980.

The first match of the season is Saturday at 9 p.m. in Holuba Hall against Philadelphia Whitemarsh.