Submitted photo – The Jacks celebrate their national championship last year.

The Cal Poly Humboldt men’s rugby team will play for a second straight national championship this weekend.

The defending National Collegiate Rugby Small College champions will play Wayne State in the semifinal in Houston on Friday.

The championship game takes place on Sunday.

The Jacks, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary as a club team this year, beat Wayne State 20-15 in last year’s final to secure the program’s first-ever national title.

The Jacks qualified for this year’s national final four after winning a pair of games at last month’s West regional playoffs in Vallejo.

The Jacks beat Colorado School of Mines 22-11 in the national round of 16 and followed that with a 71-3 win over Western Oregon in the quarterfinals. 

“On behalf of the Cal Poly Humboldt men’s rugby coaching staff, I would like to thank all alumni, family, and friends for their continued support as we once again take this journey to compete on the national stage and defend our 2022 National Championship,” head coach Greg Pargee said. “This team of student-athletes has truly dedicated themselves to the fitness work rate, discipline, and commitment to each other, on and off the field.”