By VALERIE METREJEAN

Staff Writer

While this is not at all England, Tech does have its own club rugby team.

In a game with position names like scrumhalf, hookers and flankers, rules can be confusing, but most players say it is simply a twist on an American favorite -- football.

"A lot of people around here aren't familiar to this sport but they do like it," Kelly Irvin, rugby president and a senior industrial engineering major, said.

He also said American football derived from rugby, which is a mix between American soccer and football.

Connor Mulvany, freshman rugby team president and a freshman mechanical engineering major, said the game consists of two 40-minute halves of continuous action.

"Fifteen players are needed on the field to play," Irvin said.

"And with fewer upperclassmen on the team this year we were really glad to have such a great group of freshman come out to play."

Mulvany said having several experienced incoming freshman join the team helped to strengthen the core.

"We are expanding the base in this rebuilding year," Dr. James Heimdal said.

Rugby's faculty adviser, Heimdal, said he coached in previous years but is mainly just helping out now.

"Kelly is doing a great job coaching now," Heimdal said.

This season's rugby team started playing in fall last year to find out whether they would be a part of division one or division two.

Now a part of division two, Irvin said the team will play Loyola University-New Orleans, Tulane University-New Orleans and University of Mississippi-Oxford.

"We lost our first game against Ole Miss in a close match," Irvin said.

The rugby team's second game of the season against Loyola was forfeited last Saturday because Tech's opponent did not have enough players.

Irvin said the team has a game this coming Saturday in New Orleans against Tulane.

Practices are held every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the middle of the Jim Mize Track and Field Complex.

Irvin said anyone interested in joining the team can come watch the practices.

"[Rugby] is probably one of the most intense sports because it is really rough but is so much fun to watch," said Mulvany.

Heimdal said home games bring in a crowd of around 100-150 fans.

"It is traditional for games to be followed by the home team hosting a meal and toast where both teams and fans are welcome to attend a frat-like party," Heimdal said.

For more information about games schedules or joining the team, contact Mulvany at (504)913-1649 or Irvin at 243-0389.