No. 1 Cal Advances to Second Round of Rugby Playoffs

Bears breeze past San Diego 88-5 in first-round match

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:36pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a rugby match, with overlapping planes of blue, green, and gold representing the competing teams in an abstract, fragmented style.Cal's dominant first-round playoff win showcases the program's continued rugby supremacy.Provo Today

The No. 1-ranked Cal rugby team began defense of its 2025 national championship with an 88-5 victory over San Diego in the first round of the playoffs. Cal, the top seed in the West, built a 45-0 halftime lead and cruised to the win, with Nate Comiskey scoring three tries for the Bears.

Why it matters

Cal is the perennial powerhouse in college rugby, having won multiple national titles. This dominant first-round win shows the Bears are poised for another championship run as they seek to repeat as national champions.

The details

Cal kept more than half of its frontline players out of the starting lineup against eighth-seeded San Diego, which is in its first season in Division I-A rugby. The Bears built a 45-0 halftime lead and eased past the Toreros in wet, breezy conditions in Berkeley. Nate Comiskey scored three tries for the Bears, who will now face fourth-seeded BYU in the second round next Saturday.

  • The first-round playoff match was played on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
  • Cal will face BYU in the second round next Saturday.

The players

Cal Rugby Team

The No. 1-ranked college rugby team, defending national champions from 2025.

Nate Comiskey

A Cal rugby player who scored three tries in the first-round playoff win over San Diego.

San Diego Rugby Team

The eighth-seeded team in the playoffs, making its first appearance in Division I-A rugby.

BYU Rugby Team

The fourth-seeded team in the West, which defeated Cal Poly 36-19 in the first round and will face Cal in the second round.

Saint Mary's Rugby Team

A potential opponent for Cal in the West finals, should the Bears advance past BYU.

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What’s next

If Cal gets past BYU, it would advance to the West finals, possibly against Saint Mary's. The West survivor would face the East winner in the national championship game in Indianapolis on May 2.

The takeaway

Cal's dominant first-round win over San Diego shows the Bears are the team to beat as they seek to repeat as national champions in rugby. Their depth and talent make them the clear favorites to advance deep into the playoffs.