In the forward pack, Roberts returns along with senior hooker Vaughn Buffalo, who has fully recovered from knee surgery. Junior John Greenbury and beefy Jon Diorio are two other All-New England players returning while Deon Strickland and Mark Sagarin also add size and experience to the front pack.

In addition to the core of experienced players, there are also several valuable new additions.

Football Captain Kevin Dulsky, linebacker Kris Thabit and former football player Todd Fairchild are three gridiron players who will be playing for the Crimson.

Thabit is injured now, but will make the New Orleans tour.

Also, sophomore Scott Helinski is a new addition to an already talented backfield.

"He has great speed, good running talent," Gibbs said. "Potentially, this is a really great backline."

While Harvard has already kicked off its spring season, the Radcliffe rugby club will begin its season after spring break.

The women ruggers had a strong fall season, and a new turnout of recruits has the squad looking for even better results this spring.

"We did really well in the fall," former Co-Captain Helen Wong said. "We should win the Ivies this year."

In addition to a slew of new players, the squad returns several key veterans which gives the squad such bright optimism.

Gillian Caldwell and Heather Flewelling, both starters since freshman year, return along with Co-Captains Eliza Schwarz and Cherie Silvera.

Radcliffe kicks off its season April 7 against MIT. The squad will then compete in the New England Championship tournament April 16-17, and then in the Ivy League tournament April 23 at Yale.

The Black and White look to avenge its close losses to Dartmouth in the finals of the Ivy Championship the last two years.