File photo/Arizona Daily Wildcat The UA rugby team lines up for a throw-in last season. The ruggers open this year's campaign today in Laramie, Wy.

While their classmates and friends are wearing shorts and t-shirts back in Tucson, the Arizona rugby team will be wearing · well shorts too, but the weather will be considerably different.

The Wildcats will take on the University of Wyoming in Laramie today, before swinging down to the mile high state to battle Colorado State Sunday.

Head coach Dave Sitton said the weather shouldn't be much of a factor, due to the motivation Arizona has to beat the Cowboys. The last time the two teams met was in the 2000 Sweet Sixteen when Wyoming beat Arizona 13-8 on a controversial "penalty try," Sitton said.

The try was awarded by a referee who thought Arizona had committed numerous personal fouls on the day.

"That call was devastating," said Sitton, who will fly to Palo Alto, Calif. tomorrow to announce the UA and Stanford football game for Fox Sports Arizona's coverage. "We've not forgotten it. What is most important to us is that (Wyoming) went to the Final Four last year, and we were on the outside looking in."

Arizona leads the series with Wyoming 3-1, but the Cowboys have established themselves as one of the premier rugby programs in the country.

Sunday's opponent, CSU, has owned Arizona in their own two meetings, winning both. However, the teams have not met since 1986.

The Wildcats will have to compete this weekend without sophomore flyhalf Mark Dallow who separated a tendon in his thumb and will have surgery back in Tucson. Dallow will be replaced byJustin Cunz. Fellow flyhalf Cullen Kirk is also suffering from a sprained ankle.

As for the weather, Sitton said his team has risen to the occasion in the cold before.

"One of our best wins ever was up here when it was minus-14 against Air Force," Sitton said. "We're lucky right now ÷ it's 70 degrees ÷ but we don't know what it will be like tomorrow."

Sitton said he has numerous players who hail from colder environments and they have taken the role of advising their teammates in staying warm and how to play in the conditions.

The expected high in Laramie is in the low 50s today, while Ft. Collins can expect highs in the low 60s.

Arizona is coming off a 9-7 record last year. Following a 2-7 start, the Wildcats reeled off seven straight victories to close out the season. Sitton's team returned 10 starters from last year's squad, and is eyeing a return to the post-season.