But there are tradeoffs as a result of this willful independence. "We've had to move the posts on the field at 7 a.m., or sometimes bribe Buildings and Grounds men with cases of beer to put down the lines, plus each player usually must spend between $150-$400 out-of-pocket money for uniform, dues, and travel expenses," explains a squad member.

Recently, the rugby team's relationship with the University has improved significantly. As Kingston puts it. "They approached us by saying that they want to work with us, apparently concerned over the health and safety of the players."

And for the first time, the team has been assigned its own trainer and stretcher, and plays its home games on a new regulation-size rugby pitch, behind the Palmer-Dixon Tennis Courts.

But the social spirit among team players indicates that keeping rugby a club activity "attracts all kinds of less athletic, humorous people and offers a certain integrity about it," says Kingston, who also serves as Assistant Senior Tutor in Eliot House.

Unique to rugby is the great interaction the players have with the fans. At the end of the games, fans mix with players of both teams and everybody gets together to sing songs, says Peter Choharis.

Despite all this camraderie, Crimson rugby isn't taken lightly. Competition for some spots is so tight that as many as "eight gifted players" might be trying for one spot, says Kingston. And a host of players--Kevin Lennon, Hassan Rifast, Gus Spanos, John Beilenson, John Kennedy and Mark Bumford--are considered likely prospects to be named to the New England Select Team.

Although Boston University last week dashed the Crimson's hopes for a national championship, a perfect Ivy League slate is still on the line as the ruggers tackle Columbia and then Yale in the next two weeks.