March 24th
Utah Rugby College Showdown

4:30 Pm UVU vs. USU
7:00PM BYU vs. Utah

$15 Club seats
$10 All other seats

Utah’s state-of-the-art Rio Tinto Stadium continues its 2010 event slate by hosting the Utah Rugby College Showdown on Wednesday, March 24, 2010. Hosted by the University of Utah “Scrummin’ Utes,” the doubleheader showcases the State of Utah’s most prestigious college rugby programs, including the Defending National Champions, Brigham Young University (currently ranked #1 overall in the latest issue of RugbyMAG.com.

The doubleheader kicks off at 4:30 p.m. MT with the Utah State Aggies squaring off against the Utah Valley University Wolverines. At 7:00 p.m., one of the United States’ most venomous rivalries calls Rio Tinto Stadium home as host Utah welcomes BYU in a match with both Wasatch Cup and national championship implications. Tickets go on sale this Saturday.

University of Utah Head Coach Blake Burdette is looks forward to bringing Rio Tinto Stadium and Sandy City its second-ever rugby event, reminding the Utah sporting public that USA Rugby hosted a doubleheader at the InterMountain West’s premier outdoor venue back in October, 2008, just weeks after the site’s Real Salt Lake inauguration.

“As a long-time resident of Utah and a proud alumni of the Ute football program, I’m excited to bring the sport I love to the home of the current MLS Champions, our hometown Real Salt Lake,” said Burdette, an Olympus High School graduate who played tight end on the 2005 BCS-bustin’ Utes. “As a former rugby player, I’m proud that a state-of-the-art building such as Rio Tinto Stadium – with its immaculate field and tremendous sightlines for fans – would host Utah’s four pre-eminent rugby programs. I can’t wait for March 24.”

Three of Burdette’s current Utes were recently in camp with the USA U-20 “Eagles,” as Naki Angilau, Kyle Denham and Randy Don Pati each aspire to follow in Burdette’s footsteps and represent the United States at a Rugby World Cup, as Burdette did back in 2007.

Utah’s foremost rival, not only on the field but also in a constant battle for the attention of the state’s college sports fans, BYU also looks toward the late March match at Rio Tinto Stadium as an opportunity to demonstrate the sport of rugby’s burgeoning potential.

“As it always is when we play Utah, the match in Sandy will be tough and I expect it to have severe National Championship implications,” said BYU Head Coach Dave Smyth. “I’m always eager to see how we handle a competitive team, how we respond to an opportunity like this one to give us a leg up for the Wasatch Cup, and to see fans from all over Utah come and witness two great matches in a fantastic venue.”