Give Blood: Play Rugby!

That's the slogan printed on the t-shirts of the Arizona rugby team, which begins play today against Utah in Salt Lake City.

After going 10-4 last season, the squad is back and ready for battle. Led by coach Dave Sitton, Arizona will try to make it back to the postseason, which it missed last season for the first time in the last five years.

Although many of the players from last season are gone or have turned to coaching, the new faces on the team are as hungry as ever, and some have gained much needed experience this summer playing in New Zealand.

"We have team unity, and we like playing with each other," said senior flanker Scott Albrechtsen.

"We're really athletic, and we're faster and more agile than last year's team," senior Patrick Reedy added.

During the final practice before the team's first exhibition game, the coaches were still trying to fill position holes and determine who would play this year.

"We're using the first game to see where everyone fits and where they're going to play during the season," said assistant coach Mike Coleman.

Practice was physical and the players were broken up into forwards and backs so that they could become adjusted to the role that they will likely play this season.

"We’re trying to establish our team in the first game," Reedy said.

Rugby is more than just an activity to Arizona's players.

"These guys become a family, and not just a team," Coleman said. "They will be going to each other's weddings later in their lives."

Not only do the players have to raise money to support their own program, they also perform community functions, such as the blood drive that inspired the slogan.

Community service is important to the team since the local community supports the team financially. Coleman said the players see doing events like these as a bonding experience.