Texas Rugby Union (TRU) clubs the Austin Blacks and Houston sHARCs both earned well-deserved spots at the 2025 USA Club XVs National Championships in Indianapolis, but each faced powerhouse opponents in their respective Division I semifinals and came up short.
Austin Blacks – Men’s Division I
After winning the Gulf Coast Super Regional, the Austin Blacks returned to the D1 national stage with confidence. They faced Belmont Shore, a team that finished second in 2024 and was hungry to finish the job. The match was physical and tightly contested early on, but Belmont Shore pulled away to win 24 to 10. Belmont would go on to claim the 2025 national title, making the Blacks’ semifinal loss a matchup against the eventual champions.
Houston sHARCs – Women’s Division I
The sHARCs also entered the tournament following a strong Super Regional campaign. They were paired with the Utah Vipers in a semifinal rematch from 2024. Utah came out firing and never let up, cruising to an 86 to 7 win. They went on to defeat defending champions NOVA in the final, capping back-to-back national final appearances with their first D1 title. For the sHARCs, it was a tough result against a top-tier opponent who hit their stride at the right time.
Both TRU clubs remain at the forefront of club rugby in their regions and continue to raise the standard in the Gulf Coast and beyond. Facing the best in the country is no easy task, and the experience gained in Indianapolis will serve both teams well as they regroup for 2026.