Top 14 Round 5: Montpellier vs Toulouse

Five Must-Win Games This Weekend

Five Must-Win Games This Weekend

This early in the season, there are still must-win games.

Sep 21, 2018 by Alex Goff
Rugby Has A Huge Tradition At Dartmouth

It's only September, but if you're thinking championship, sometimes you've got to circle these early games as meaning something; many rugby teams find themselves looking back at an early misstep as the first on the road to disappointment.

So, with all of that in mind, here are five games that are must-win for someone.

Air Force vs Mexico

After a loss to Colorado State, the Zoomies men have to rebound. Two teams from the Rocky Mountain East will make the semis on November 10, and the chances are very high now that one of those teams will be Colorado State. Air Force or Colorado should be the other, but if AFA loses to the Lobos, then maybe that ship will have sailed.

Berkeley All Blues

After starting 3-0, Berkeley lost to Glendale, and then realized that they could have worked a little harder to get some bonus points. Now San Diego is ahead of the All Blues because of bonus points. Those two meet this week. The Surfers can lose and still be nicely in the hunt for a semifinal spot. Berkeley really needs to win.

Watch The WPL Finals LIVE on FloRugby

Dartmouth and Harvard Women

The two best teams in the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association league, the NCAA women's varsity league, will face off. Who wants the #1 seed? it's right there, up for grabs, and possibly a #1 (OK, not really, maybe #2) ranking on FloRugby, too.

Montpellier

How quickly they forget. After logging the best regular-season record in the French Top 14 last season, Montpellier has limped to a 1-2-1 opening record. Sunday's clash with Toulouse (emphasis on the second syllable maybe?) could plummet Montpellier into relegation territory. Yes, yes, it's early days, but everyone wants to avoid digging a hole.

Watch Montpellier vs Toulouse LIVE on FloRugby On Sunday

Harvard and Dartmouth Men

The Ivy League kicks, and 1st place is down to this game in Hanover. Dartmouth should be favored, but this is a steadily improving Harvard squad. Losing for the Crimson isn't the end of the world, but for Dartmouth, if they want to be considered top dogs, they need to get a victory.