Seattle Rugby Club Advances to the National Championship Final
Seattle Rugby Club traveled to Lemont, Illinois, for the USA Club Rugby National Championships — and on Friday evening, they delivered. In a Men's D1 semifinal that was part tactical masterclass, part sheer force of will, the Orcas dispatched the Chicago Lions 39–29 to earn a berth in the national championship final.
The Orcas came out with purpose and control, building a commanding advantage in the first half through fluid, composed rugby that put Chicago on the back foot from the opening minutes. Seattle's forward pack imposed their will up front while the backs found gaps with efficiency, converting pressure into points at a rate Chicago could not match.
The defining moment of the match came when Seattle were temporarily reduced to just 13 men. For most teams, that kind of numerical disadvantage against a quality opponent is an opportunity ceded. For this Orcas squad, it was a proving ground. Seattle held their shape, absorbed the pressure, and kept the scoreboard moving. The Lions could not find a way through. When the side returned to full strength, the result was no longer in doubt.
The 39–29 final scoreline flatters Chicago. Seattle controlled the tempo for long stretches and never truly looked threatened when it mattered. This is a team that has grown into the high-stakes moments all season — and Friday was the clearest evidence yet that this Orcas group belongs on the biggest stage club rugby in America has to offer.
Eyes Forward: The Final
Seattle enters today's national championship final healthy, rested, and playing their best rugby of the season. Their opponent is Old Blue RFC out of New York — a club with pedigree and a roster that earned their place in the final. This will be a match worthy of the occasion.
But so will Seattle. The 2025–26 Men's D1 side has shown all season that they can adapt, absorb, and execute. They've won on the road. They've won shorthanded. They've won when it mattered most. Today, with a national championship on the line, they'll have the chance to cap a historic season with the title to match.
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About the Seattle Rugby Club
Established in 1966, Seattle Rugby Club (formerly known as Seattle OPSB and Seattle Saracens) is an adult rugby union club focused on the fifteens code of the global game. Seattle Rugby proudly promotes the sport of rugby in North America both on and off the pitch through community-focused efforts as well as performing on game day. The club provides opportunities for men, women, and young people to engage with rugby at all levels.
