Independent

In US collegiate rugby, Independent teams are programs that compete outside the structure of a formal conference or league. These teams schedule their own matches, often facing opponents from multiple regions or divisions, allowing for greater flexibility but requiring more logistical coordination. Independence can result from geographic isolation, emerging program status, or a strategic choice to maintain control over scheduling and competition level.

These teams might compete in different divisions and either through College Rugby Association of America (CRAA) or National Collegiate Rugby (NCR). With an independent schedule, each game is hugely important in making a team's case for a national-level postseason berth.

Division: Men's D1A
Division: Men's D1AA
Division: Men's NCR D1
Division: Women's D1

Brown players celebrate beating Dartmouth Nov 7, 2026 to win the Liberty Conference.

11.07.2026College Men

NCR D1 Playoff Picture Clearing As Conference Winners Decided

NCR's Men's D1 playoff picture is clearing.

This article will be updated as results come in.

Here's what's going on right now:

Big Rivers: Marian defeated Aquinas 18-12 in the conference final Saturday in Chicago, winning their second-straight conference title.

11.01.2026College Men

SNU Win Over UCLA Potentially Clarifies NCR D1 Playoff Picture

Southern Navarene's close win over UCLA seems to, perhaps, clarify the NCR D1 playoff picture.

SNU has been trying to get into the middle of that picture, and this year the Crimson Storm has done quite well to set that up. As independents they can only play who is available and that means some D1AA teams, albeit some strong D1AA teams.

Walsh vs Rio Grande 2026 Photo Alex Goff.

10.29.2026College Men

NCR D1 Big Games and Playoff Ramifications This Week

NCR D1 conferences figure some things out this weekend as the playoffs are now just a couple of weeks away.

Let's take a look at who could be considered for the NCR playoff bracket and what they have to do to get there.

09.17.2026College Men

Loyola New Orleans Opens Account With Impressive Victory

A big win for Loyola of New Orleans over the weekend marks a new era in the program.

LSU is no pushover, but with Loyola being a new school-support program, they are able to get up to speed early in this, the Wolfpack's first ever season.