Men's rugby is in the midst of major preparations to defend its USA Rugby Collegiate Sevens and CRC Sevens national titles. 

The Lions returned seven players with past national championship experience and added a wealth of new talent.  Tyren Al-Jiboori, one of the young stars, brings experience of his own from the Team USA Sevens training group in Chula Vista, California, and he watched his brother Malon be capped as an Eagle in 15's and sevens. 

Lorenzo Thomas, one of the top veterans on the squad, is a senior standout for the Lindenwood program.  He is also a capped 15's Eagle and just returned from a Team USA Sevens training camp.  He provides great leadership and experience and the younger players will definitely look to him for guidance.   

The national championships will be played in consecutive weekends, so building endurance and fitness is a major goal for the coaching staff in the final days of preparation before the team departs May 22.  The USA Rugby Collegiate D1A Sevens National Championship is May 24-25 at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona.  The Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC 7's) follows June 1-2 at Talen Energy Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The ESPN family of networks will broadcast the CRC 7's event.  Last year, the Lions defeated California in the finals of the USA Rugby Sevens Championship, and they stopped UCLA in the CRC 7's final to claim both national titles.