National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) is hosting its first-ever Women’s All-Star 15s Showcase, an event that unfolds this Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 24-25 inside Silverbacks Park in Atlanta. There are four teams of approximately 25 players apiece, and each of the head coaches assembled their squads through a player draft. All four NCR divisions are represented on the Stars, Stripes, Bison and Hawks, and now the field is ready for a traditional round robin. Ultimately, there are two main objectives enriching this event: Expose players and coaches to next-level rugby opportunities; and identify talent for an All-American 15s tour this summer. [lead photo: Jackie Finlan / TRB]

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All teams will play three games apiece — two on Saturday (at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.) and a final match on Sunday. Games are 25-minute halves with a five-minute halftime. There is open subbing as well. The champion will be named on highest standings points, and in case of a tie, point differential and then total tries will decide the champ.

The rosters have not been officially released yet, but the head coaches for each team are known. Virginia’s Nancy Kechner leads the Stripes and took some time to talk about her player selection process. DIII Endicott College’s Carly Baker is in charge of the Stars.  Southern Nazarene’s Tom Willoughby directs the Hawks. And Penn State’s Lauren Shissler leads the Bison. Once squads are published, this post will update.

SCHEDULE

All times Eastern

SATURDAY JAN 24

11 a.m. Stadium: Bison v Stars
11 a.m. Field 2: Hawks v Stripes

4 p.m. Stadium: Hawks v Stars
4 p.m. Field 2: Bison v Stripes

After the final games of the day (remember: the all-star 7s tournament occurs simultaneously), NCR will host a social at the complex, announce the Players of the Year winners (one per division), feature a handful of speakers and special guests, play a few games and foster that post-game ambiance that marks the sport. Food is provided.

SUNDAY JAN 25

11:30 a.m. Stadium: Bison v Hawks
12:40 p.m. Stadium: Stars v Stripes

All of the games inside the stadium will be live-stream on NCR TV, while the outer-field matches will feature on NCR’s YouTube channel and utilize Veo AI technology. For more information on parking, tickets, merchandise and more, visit the all-star homepage. The Rugby Breakdown will be on-site for photos and interviews, so check @therugbybreakdown for coverage.