SEASON PREVIEW: Expectations high for Gee-Gees men’s rugby in 2022

Following their most successful season in the history of the program, the Gee-Gees men's rugby team are striving for another solid campaign in 2022.

Ottawa finished third in the conference for the second consecutive season, earning their first winning season with a 4-2 record. The Gee-Gees ultimately fell to Concordia on the road in the semifinal, but 2021 proved to be yet another step in the right direction for the young program. 

The regular season opens at home with a match against Montreal on Saturday, Sept. 10 (kickoff 4:00 p.m.). The match at Matt Anthony Field follows the Gee-Gees women's rugby team also taking on the Carabins earlier in the day. Every men's rugby regular season home game will feature a doubleheader with the women's team.

Tickets for all Gee-Gees home games are on sale now at tickets.geegees.ca.

"We have a ton of returning veterans, we are definitely a team with a lot of experience," said Gee-Gees head coach Andrew Armstrong. "We had a really good year last year, and we're excited to see if we can take it a step or two further."

The backs are anchored by reigning RSEQ MVP Jamie Armstrong, who led the conference in scoring in 2021. Experienced captain James Flemming is also back for a fourth year. The Belleville, Ont., product has been named to a conference all-star team in each of his first three seasons (RSEQ Second Team in 2018 and 2019, RSEQ First Team in 2021). 

Number 8 Yenam Zouzoua is looking to replicate his performance from 2021. The International Management student from Johannesburg, South Africa earned conference Rookie of the Year honours by posting three tries in six regular season matches. 

Returning veterans Theo Espagnol, Jacob Harries and Wahid Hamidi are expected to headline the Gee-Gees forwards this year. Kieran Blair and Jackie Wu are also gearing up for strong seasons after having their 2021 campaigns hampered by injuries.

"The guys are hyped," said Armstrong, who is in his second season at the helm of the program. "We're really enjoying getting to know the new guys and reconnecting with the vets. We're having a great time." 

The veterans will have big shoes to fill. Key contributors Sam Mace and Elias Hancock graduated, along with Duncan Hladik, who led the conference with seven tries last year. Mace spent the 2021-22 season as a member of the Toronto Arrows of Major League Rugby. 

All men's rugby home matches will be broadcast on the Gee-Gees YouTube channel. Tickets for home games are available at tickets.geegees.ca.