Nov 8- Arizona has announced the side that will host University of San Diego as the Wildcats host the reigning D1AA champions in their final home match of the Fall. Arizona has made a number of changes from the side that defeated Colorado State last week as they continue their ramp up and look to move to 6-0 on the season.

 

Up front Hooker Henry Langrish moves into the lineup in place of the injured Cameron Blair, where he'll have the duo of Seamus McCarthy and Dalton Slaughter on either side of him. Back row Andreas Andersson returns from injury to take a place on the bench in the reserves, while Jacob Jaffe makes his second start at Lock.

 

In the backline, Jacob Hall and Saxon Gerstl gives the Wildcats an Aussie duo at 9 and 10, while Jake Schumacher returns from recent USA age grade camp duty to start at left wing. He will pair with Antonio Gonzalez, fresh off a hat trick last week while Fullback Matteo Berenger moves into the captaincy role in Blair's absence.

 

In the finishers, key pieces of the Fall like Isaac Morrill and Lucas Smith are ready when called upon, while Charley Redknapp and Van Hampton give the Wildcats two attacking weapons to use in the backs.

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"USD is a good well-coached side, and as we saw last year they are a team that gives you challenges. Matteo has done a good job stepping up as the captain and we're seeing more shared leadership amongst both our 1s and our 2s as we all keep building. Our goal is to string together 80 minutes of explosive rugby and continue to get better each week" said Director of Rugby Sean Duffy.

 

Opponent Preview- University of San Diego

-USD has spent the majority of the Fall playing sevens, making tomorrow their first official fifteens match of the year. Last year's meeting in San Diego went the way of the Wildcats by a score of 35-13.
 

Player to Watch- Tanner DeMassa

-The second-year back row from Mesa has played a major role this Fall, playing both flanker spots and helping lead a defense that has limited opponents to just 7.0 points a game. He will start at blindside flanker, one of two second-year athletes in the back row alongside Aiden Kemp. "Tanner just continues to get better each week and show that hard work and character really set the ceiling on development. He's not just a good player, he's a great teammate that guys want to play with. That matters in building the right culture" said Duffy.

 

Gates open at 12:30 PM with kickoff at 1 PM that will be broadcast here.

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For the Wildcats full Fall schedule, click here.

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1st XV vs San Diego

1- Seamus McCarthy

2- Henry Langrish

3- Dalton Slaughter

4- Jacob Jaffe

5- Aidan Hendry

6- Tanner DeMassa

7- Troy Norman

8- Aiden Kemp

9- Jacob Hall

10- Saxon Gerstl

11- Jake Schumacher

12- Sintu Mjali

13- Mattox King

14- Antonio Gonzalez

15- Matteo Berenger (C)

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16- Aidan McCarthy

17- Liam Swanson

18- Isaac Morrill

19- Pacific Smiley

20- Andreas Andersson

21- Lucas Smith

22- Charley Redknapp

23- Van Hampton

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