UofL Rugby Opens National Tournament Play This Weekend
The 15-man team, fresh off a second straight MAC Championship, begins its national bid after a 29-12 win over Western Michigan.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Other Sports
The University of Louisville's 15-man rugby club team won the MAC Championship 29-12 over Western Michigan at Seneca Park this past Saturday. The team opens play in the national tournament this weekend, seeking its first national championship.
Why it matters
The team has not yet won a national title in the 15-man format, though UofL rugby teams have reached four championships in the past five years. For a Louisville club program, the tournament is a test of whether a second straight conference title can translate into national success.
The MAC Championship final was won 29-12 over Western Michigan, the second consecutive conference title for the 15-man squad. The 15-man team has never won a national championship, while the seven-man team has won two.
The players
John-Henry Carsten
Carsten is the head coach of the UofL rugby program, who also works full time as an operations manager at a tooling company.
The details
Rugby at UofL is a club sport played without helmets, with continuous play across two 40-minute halves. The head coach, John-Henry Carsten, works full time as an operations manager at a tooling company while leading the program.
Timeline
This past Saturday: UofL's 15-man team won the MAC Championship 29-12 at Seneca Park.
This weekend: The team opens play in the national tournament.
Season Trajectory
The MAC Championship back-to-back victory positions the UofL 15-man squad as a regional force heading into national competition. Club rugby programs depend heavily on fundraising and player retention, which shapes how far a program can sustain a national push.
Club rugby players receive some money for education, but the team must raise funds to cover its costs. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the program's expenses.
The takeaway
A conference title does not guarantee national success, but it gives the program a chance to test itself against the country's best club teams this weekend. Following the tournament results will show whether this squad can break its national championship drought.
What happens next
The national tournament opens this weekend, with the team's results in that event to follow.
Further reading
Explore more Other Sports coverage from across the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wdrbwave.
