Steubenville, Ohio - National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) released their Preseason Power 10 for the Men's Division III last week. Franciscan will start the season ranked seventh for the  2024 15's season. The Barons were not ranked last preseason, but spent most of the regular season ranked between 9th and 6th.
 

The Barons did lose a talented group to graduation, including All-Americans John Thibault and Vincent Prezzia. Head Coach Jason Adams has brought in another talented class that looks to continue the tradition of success in conference and at the national level. Fellow Allegheny Rugby Union (ARU) foe Slippery Rock rounded out the poll in 10th. They ended last season on a high-note by winning the Collegiate Rugby Championships 7's Title. Franciscan will travel to Slippery Rock on October 5th for what should be a massive conference contest. 

The NCR will release a weekly coaches poll for each division with the top 20 teams in the nation in the coming weeks.

Up Next
The Barons open up the regular season against Christendom, who was surprisingly not in the Preseason Power 10. The Crusaders have steadily been one of the top teams in the nation over the last decade. Franciscan is looking to snap a nine-game losing streak to them, as they come to Steubenville on September 7th. They are in search of their first win over them since 2007. 

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