DUDLEY, Mass. (10/16/2026) – The Nichols College men's rugby team has earned the No. 1 ranking nationally in the latest National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) Coaches Poll, marking a significant milestone for the undefeated Bison during the 2026-27 season.
The Bison, who were previously ranked as high as No. 2 nationally, are now ranked No. 1 for the first time in program history.
Nichols has opened the fall campaign with a perfect 4-0 record, continuing to establish itself among the nation's top collegiate rugby programs. To start out, Nichols quickly showcased their offensive firepower throughout the season, opening the campaign with a 94-5 victory over Bryant University before shutting out Providence College, 69-0. The Bison most recently delivered a dominant 62-5 victory over conference rival Holy Cross on October 10, extending their winning streak and maintaining their unbeaten record, and also claimed a win in friendly competition with UMass Amherst.
Nichols has continued that momentum against increasingly familiar competition, including its latest decisive performance against the Crusaders.
Nichols will return to Michael J. Vendetti Field on Saturday, October 24, to host Roger Williams University as the Bison look to carry their momentum into the final stretch of the regular season. The program sits at the top of the table on the north side of the NACR, looking to host the conference Semifinals on October 31st at 6:00 PM.
