The Royal Irish boys team from Indianapolis is looking to repeat as the high school club national champion, and its first important test comes at the Lindenwood High School Rugby Invitational on Feb. 24-25 in St. Charles, Missouri.

Few high school tournaments have as much of an influence on the early portion of the season as Lindenwood University's annual showcase, which this .

With the cold winter having played additional havoc on teams in the middle of the country, a chance to play accomplished high school teams from out-of-state is critical to anyone looking for a state, or national, title.

Watch the 2018 Lindenwood High School Rugby Invitational LIVE on FloRugby

“You never know what you have,” Royal Irish head coach Scott Peterson said. “We’ve had some crazy weather and so this year we’ve struggled with practice. It’s been a rough go so far.”

2017 HS Club National Final — Fort Hunt vs. Royal Irish:

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Royal Irish has some superb talent — including David Hannon at flyhalf and No. 8 Russell Lemaster — and the team usually add in some players from winter sports right around the beginning of February. 

Prop Andy Guhl has the potential to be a dominant front-rower and joins the team after wrestling season. Wyatt Schrader started as a freshman last year and Nick Frederick is also back — part of a backline that has several returning players.

“We should be in good shape there,” said Peterson, adding that the team that won nationals in Kansas City last year was missing a few injured players.

Nick Frederick Of Royal Irish After First Day Of Nationals:

All of those players need some game time soon, and the Lindenwood Invitational is a crucial part of that.

Royal Irish will be joined at the tournament by St. Thomas Aquinas, Kansas City Blues, a Missouri all-star team, Jenks (OK), and Avon (IN), providing multiple playing opportunities.

“What it is for us is early games, and this year it’s even earlier,” Peterson said. “It’s a chance for us to get some games under our belt, and we come back and play Gonzaga a couple of weeks later. 

"You get a chance to see what you’ve got and plan around that. We will be able to see a lot of kids on the field and see what they can do.”

It could mean the start of another championship run.