cats take on cal
#9 Arizona @ #5 cal
12 PM PST
ESPn +
#9

Lucas Smith and the Wildcats are fired up for an important road contest in Berkeley. (Photo credits: Josh Pearson)
Jan 31- Arizona has announced the sides that will travel to the Bay Area for two important contests in Berkeley this weekend on ESPN+. The Wildcats have named a mostly unchanged side from the one that dropped a 12-10 contest against St. Mary's College two weeks ago, but will have to build on that performance to come away with the result against Cal on the road.
National player of the week Ted Champion once again pairs with Mattox King in the centers, while Antonio Gonzalez returns to the starting lineup on the right wing giving the Wildcats three veterans that they will rely on. Vice Captain Matteo Berenger leads from Fullback, with a challenge ahead that the Wildcats are looking forward to on the road. "This backline has a very unique mix of experience, youth, and personality. They've embraced the challenge defensively and it all starts with Matteo's leadership" said Director of Rugby Sean Duffy.
In the forwards Cameron Blair leads from the front at Hooker alongside the same seven forwards that put together a strong effort in their first game of the Spring. "Cameron sets the tone and we have guys not just in the starters but on the bench that will play big roles. The forwards continue to front up each week and they know we are building something special in that engine room" said Duffy.
Cal comes into the contest fresh off a win over UC-Santa Cruz, and with both teams in the top ten tomorrow's outcome could have major ramifications for the postseason. "Just the next one for us. We have respect for Cal like any other opponent, but we're locked in on our process. If we can nail that, and all 23 do their jobs, the mission is a success" said Duffy. Rain is expected in the forecast, giving both teams an additional variable to contend with. Arizona 2nd XV will follow with a match-up of their own against Cal 2nd XV immediately following the 1st XV match.
For the Wildcats full schedule, click here.
1st XV vs Cal
1- Isaac Morrill
2- Cameron Blair- C
3- Dalton Slaughter
4- Andreas Andersson
5- Jack Bresland
6- Aston Gradwick-Light
7- Tanner DeMassa
8- Aiden Kemp
9- Jacob Hall
10- Saxon Gerstl
11- Jake Schumacher
12- Ted Champion
13- Mattox King
14- Antonio Gonzalez
15- Matteo Berenger- VC
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16- Henry Langrish
17- Tucker Johnstone
18- Seamus McCarthy
19- Harry Hobson
20- Troy Norman
21- Lucas Smith
22- Gustave Martinez
23- Nick Morgan
2nd XV
1- Tucker Johnstone
2- Henry Langrish
3- Jack Kerrigan
4- Chuck Williams
5- Matt Grau
6- Pacific Smiley
7- Henry Kliavkoff
8- Jacob Jaffe- C
9- Lucas Smith
10- Will Rohrsheim
11- Jackson Kutcher
12- Sintu Mjali
13- Brody Johnson
14- Nick Morgan
15- Connor McCormick- VC
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16- Carter Hertstein
17- Lucas Holton
18- Marcus Harris
19- Kai Moananu-Apela
20- PJ Enegren
21- Declan Postin
22- Patrick Barker
23- Seth Catchpole