When the United States hosts the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2031 and the Women’s tournament four years later, the excitement will be about more than competition; it will be about a sport quietly trying to find its place on American soil.
Rugby’s Quiet Momentum
The Rugby World Cup, first contested in 1987, has been dominated by only four nations — South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and England — who have each lifted the trophy multiple times. The United States, currently ranked around sixteenth worldwide, sits in the same tier as the U.S. soccer team, a reminder that the sport is still finding its footing.
Building a Local Legacy
For several years I have been introducing rugby to Blair County, organizing clinics that have drawn over three hundred participants, from children to parents. Players from Hollidaysburg and Bald Eagle have already earned spots in U.S. Eagles development pathways, and names such as Jack Steiner, Mackenzie Link, Joey Richardson, James Cowan, Vincent Consiglio, Julian Pringle and Andy Haines have begun to surface in regional camps.
Beyond the Scrum: Life Lessons
The tournament’s stated purpose is not to win but to grow the game, to expose American audiences to the discipline, sportsmanship and camaraderie that define rugby. Those qualities echo the lessons I see on the field and in the classroom, and they resonate with the broader benefits of any team sport. Whether it is soccer, football, basketball or track, each activity can teach young people resilience and respect. Rugby simply offers a different cultural lens through which those lessons are delivered, and the upcoming World Cups may finally open that lens wider for many Americans.