UGA Rugby has produced a number of standout rugby players which we are proud to recognize. We’re working on improving our records, so please fill out THIS FORM if you know of other players whose rugby accomplishments deserve to be showcased here!
Collegiate All-Americans
Justin Harrell (1996-2001)
Originally recruited to UGA to play football, Justin was edged out for a scholarship by none other than UGA football legend and NFL player Matt Stinchcomb. That was extremely fortunate for our club, as he decided to quit football and focus on his education (pre-med), ultimately finding the rugby team as his athletic outlet during his sophomore year.
During his time with the club, Justin served as captain and club President, and at 6’4″ and 225 lbs, he dominated opponents and was named a US Collegiate All-American at 8-man in 1999.
Justin graduated from UGA with a degree in Biochemistry and Microbiology, completed medical school at the Medical College of Georgia (Augusta, Georgia), and played rugby in Augusta as well as New Zealand during his years of medical training. Dr. Harrell currently works as a family medicine physician in his hometown of Douglas, Georgia.
Steve Brinson (1982-1989)
During his time at UGA (1982-1985 and 1987-1989), Steve Brinson was a standout player, racking up various accolades as a flyhalf. He was selected to the Eastern Rugby Union (ERU) U-23 select side in 1984, 1985, and 1986. In 1989, he was named an Eastern United States Collegiate All-Star and a US Collegiate All-American. In 1988 and 1989, Steve made the Junior Eagle squad, playing 2 test matches against New Zealand and Canada.
After his time at UGA, Steve also played with various clubs including the Crescent City Rugby Club (New Orleans, Louisiana), The Gentlement of Aspen (Aspen, Colorado), Atlanta Old White (Atlanta, Georgia), and the Awanui Men’s Rugby Club (Awanui, New Zealand).
Steve spent 35 years in the retail automotive industry in New Orleans, Louisiana, with his family’s dealership Royal Automotive. He married his college sweetheart, Elizabeth Alexander Brinson who played tennis for UGA. They have 2 children – son Blake and daughter Caroline, who herself was an All-American tennis player for UGA.
Rob Young (199x-1994)
3-time All-American
Regional/Conference Distinctions
Nathan Driggers (c/o 2016)
2015 USA Rugby All South Prop
Casey Davidson (c/o 2016)
2015 USA Rugby All South Prop
Jon Ross (c/o 2014)
2012 USA Rugby All South, 1st Team AllSCRC 7s, USA Eagles Olympic Development Camp Attendee
Other Notable Players
Richard Tardits (circa 1985)
Little-known fact: prior to becoming a record-setting walk-on DL for Vince Dooley, Richard Tardits had a brief stint with the UGARFC circa 1985. Born in France and having played for the French junior national rugby team before coming to the US, he made a big impression on those who met him. He came to be known as “Le Sack,” and held the UGA record for most career sacks until it was broken by David Pollack. After college, he had an impressive athletic career, which included helping the Mystic River Rugby Club reach the national finals, playing a few years in the NFL, and several years as a US Eagle (including participating in the 1999 Rugby World Cup).