Midwest Rugby Union

🚨 Attention Club Administrators! 🚨

As we prepare for the 2026–27 Competitive Cycle, we are asking ALL member clubs to update their club contact information.

✅ Please note:

- This form should be completed ONLY by an individual with administrative authority for your club.
- Submit only one response per club.
- Please complete your submission as soon as possible to ensure we have accurate contact information for the upcoming season.

Thank you for your prompt attention and cooperation. We appreciate your help in keeping our records up to date!

https://forms.gle/TmyGYxcpyzXPJBtYA

🚨 NEW FOR THE 2026-27 MWRU COMPETITIVE CYCLE: Rugby Xplorer Live Scoring Requirements 🚨

Beginning with the 2026-27 competitive cycle, all MWRU Member Clubs are required to live score matches in Rugby Xplorer. This policy is designed to improve match reporting, player eligibility oversight, discipline tracking, and competition administration by resolving issues at the field—not days later.

Key requirements every Club should know:

🏉 Team Lists
• Team Lists should be entered by 8:00 PM CT the day before the match.
• Once the pre-match ID and roster check is complete, no roster changes are permitted.

🪪 Pre-Match ID & Roster Check
• Before kickoff, both Clubs must complete an ID and roster check.
• Players must present valid government-issued or official school photo identification (redacted copies are encouraged to protect personal information).
• Players whose identity cannot be verified may not participate.

📲 Live Scoring
• The home Club must designate a scorekeeper with Rugby Xplorer Team Admin access before kickoff.
• All scores, substitutions, cards, injuries, and player movements must be recorded live using the Rugby Match Day app.
• Both Teams are responsible for providing timely and accurate player information to the scorekeeper throughout the match.

✅ Match Closeout
• Before leaving the field, both Teams and the referee must verify the final score and all recorded match events.
• The match must be updated to "Result" in Rugby Xplorer before it is considered complete.

📖 The complete Rugby Xplorer Live Scoring procedures will be incorporated into the 2026-27 MWRU Rules of Competition, which will be released in the coming weeks.

💻 To help Clubs prepare, the MWRU will also host three virtual training sessions covering Rugby Xplorer Live Scoring procedures and best practices. Dates, registration details, and additional information will be announced very soon.

Please make sure your Club is familiar with these new requirements before the season begins. Preparing now will help ensure a smooth and successful 2026-27 competition for everyone.

💣 THE BOMBERS ARE HEADED TO NATIONALS! 💣

The road to Madison runs through the Midwest, and the St. Louis Bombers left no doubt who wears the crown.

With a commanding 36-7 victory over Invictus Rugby, the Bombers are your 2026 Midwest 7s Champions, punching their ticket to the USA Club Rugby 7s National Championships.

The Midwest Union will be sending a loaded field to Nationals:

🥇 St. Louis Bombers – Midwest Champions
🥈 Invictus Rugby – Union Runner-Up
🥉 Detroit Tradesmen – Third Seed after a hard-fought 24-17 win over the Indianapolis Impalas

Congratulations to all three clubs on earning their place on the national stage. Madison, get ready—the Midwest is coming. 🔥🏉

DetroitTradesmen Rugby7s ClubRugby EarnedNotGiven

🏆 MIDWEST CHAMPIONS. 🏆

The Chicago Lions are headed to Nationals! 🦁🔥

After a dominant 29-5 victory over Chicago North Shore in the Midwest 7s Championship, the Lions have punched their ticket to the USA Club Rugby 7s National Championships in Madison, Wisconsin in two weeks.

Credit to a tough Chicago North Shore side, who also secured a Nationals bid as the Midwest's runner-up. The Midwest will be well represented on the national stage.

One trophy down. One goal left.

See you in Madison. 💪🏉

Two of the Midwest's finest looking referees showing off their reversible World Rugby Shop referee jerseys! 😎 We can't promise the jerseys make you this handsome... but we're not ruling it out either.

A huge thank you to World Rugby Shop for being such a fantastic partner of the Midwest Rugby Union and for their continued support of our referees, clubs, and rugby community.

Midwest member clubs: if you're looking for team kits, training gear, or rugby equipment, be sure to reach out to World Rugby Shop. They offer exclusive deals and discounts for Midwest Rugby Union members, making it easier than ever to get your club looking its best.

🏆 The hardware is ready... but who’s taking it home? 🏆

Today, the best men's and women's clubs in the Midwest will battle for the 2026 Midwest 7s Championship and a coveted bid to Club Rugby 7s Nationals.

The trophies are polished. The stage is set. Now comes the hard part.

Who's got 14 minutes of magic? Who's making the big tackle, the game-changing breakaway, or the clutch conversion? And who'll be making the long drive home wondering what could've been?

Drop your predictions below 👇 (We'll save the receipts. 😏)

See you in Elkhart. Let's crown some champions. 🔥🏉

The stage is set! 🏉

The 2026 Midwest 7s Championship kicks off tomorrow! Check out the participating clubs and the full match schedule in the graphics below.

If you're anywhere near Elkhart/South Bend, Indiana, come experience the action in person! The tournament will not be streamed, so the only way to catch every match live is from the sidelines.

We'll do our best to keep everyone updated throughout the day with scores and results right here on social media.

The stakes couldn't be higher: the tournament champion earns an automatic bid to Club Rugby 7s Nationals, while the remaining teams will be looking to strengthen their case for an at-large invitation.

Good luck to all the clubs competing—we'll see you at the pitch!

🏉 2026 Midwest Thunderbirds U23 Women Announced 🏉

The Midwest Thunderbirds are proud to announce the roster, coaching staff, and schedule for the 2026 USA Rugby U23 Territorial Tournament.

The U23 Territorial Tournament brings together the top rugby talent from across the United States, providing the nation's best players under the age of 23 an opportunity to represent their region and compete against the country's elite. The Midwest Select Side draws players from eight states across the Midwest Region and serves as a critical pathway within the USA Rugby player development system.

In addition to high-level competition, the tournament provides a valuable scouting opportunity for USA Rugby national team coaches, including representatives from the U18, U20, U23, and Senior National Teams in both the 7s and 15s programs.

Congratulations to the athletes selected to represent the Midwest Thunderbirds and thank you to our coaching staff for their commitment to developing the next generation of Midwest rugby talent.

We wish our Thunderbirds the best of luck as they compete on the national stage and showcase the strength of Midwest rugby.