DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa State football team isn’t the only squad representing the state in Ireland this week. The Cyclones rugby team, along with Bondurant boys and Southeast Polk girls rugby teams are there in Dublin as well. 

While rugby is still one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S., it already has immense popularity in Ireland. In fact, where the football game is held Saturday, Aviva Stadium, is where the Ireland national rugby team plays. 

On Thursday, ISU, Bondurant and Southeast Polk all played teams from Terenure College in Dublin. A little friendly international competition. 

“It’s definitely been surreal. It’s crazy that we get to come over here and play the sport that we love,” Southeast Polk senior Savannah Olsen said. “I never thought I would get to come and play rugby internationally. I just love the game, love the sport. I’m really glad I got to come over and play with my team. It’s been a great experience.”

“It’s a once in a lifetime experience for me and for the girls,” Southeast Polk coach Joe White said. “I think just being able to come over here and being able to compete against one of the local high schools, this has been an amazing experience for us.”

They had to work hard to get to Ireland, fundraising for the trip and also switching from 7v7 to 15v15. They even had to recruit some players from other Iowa schools.

Meanwhile, the Bondurant Blue Plague boys program has been to Ireland before, but never with such festivities around the entire weekend. 

“The boys had a blast. They loved it,” Blue Plague coach Brad Lewis said. “The game didn’t end up going our way score wise, but we did get to see how we play against the next level. We played some pretty stiff competition and yet held our own and did well.”

The two high school teams, as well as ISU rugby lost their games to Terenure, but it’s all about the experience. 

“It took them a minute to get the jitters out. And once they did, they really started to gel and they had an amazing experience,” White said. “You know, rugby culture being what it is, as soon as the final whistle blew, they had 15 new best friends in Ireland. It was like they had been friends forever. So, that was probably one of the coolest parts for me.”

The proud coaches got to see their players’ eyes open both in rugby and in culture.

“The biggest thing is just providing opportunities for kids to grow and develop. But then rugby wise, seeing how the rest of the world does it,” Lewis said. “It’s good for them to see it and to see all the opportunities that rugby can provide throughout their life.”

All three Iowa rugby teams will help hold the flag during the national anthem at the ISU vs. Kansas State football game Saturday. They will also be introduced on the field at halftime. 

And of course, they got to be tourists a little bit too, exploring Dublin.