CLAYTON, NC — The Clayton Rugby Football Club is proud to announce its official schedule for the 2025/2026 XVs season. With a mix of league play, friendlies, tournaments, and international touring, the upcoming season promises another exciting chapter for the Bootleggers.
Clayton RFC’s Division 4 side kicks off their Carolinas Rugby Union league campaign on September 13th at home against the Greenwood Geese. The squad plays a total of eight league matches culminating in the CGRU Championship on April 11th, 2026. One of the highlights on the fall schedule is October 11th when the club hosts Freeport RFC from the Bahamas, this marks the first time the club has hosted a team from outside of the United States.
The Bootleggers have also renewed their longstanding annual home/away fixtures with Tobacco Road. The two clubs are in the process of working out a name for an annual trophy/cup that will be held by the aggregate winner of the two matches. Clayton RFC is excited to start this new tradition with our great friends in Durham.
The club’s calendar is also filled with popular annual events, including the club’s annual Toys for Tots event. The event is being changed to a tournament format which is being held on November 22nd. Tournament details will be available in the coming weeks. The newly introduced and fan-favorite Old Boys Game is April 18th, celebrating the club’s history and alumni base. In addition, the team will travel to Savannah in March for the famed St. Patrick’s Day Tournament, offering a festival of rugby and culture in the heart of Georgia.
Capping off the season, Clayton RFC will embark on an international tour to the Bahamas from April 30th to May 4th, continuing the club’s tradition of building camaraderie and global rugby connections.
“This year’s schedule reflects our commitment to growing the game, building competitive depth, and creating memorable rugby experiences on and off the pitch,” said Club President Ted Hardy. “This is one of the most ambitious schedules we’ve put out in years and that is a direct result of the growth of our men’s side over the past six months. We’re excited to welcome new and returning players as we take another step forward as a club.”
2025/2026 XVs Season Schedule
(* Denotes Carolinas Rugby Union D4 League Match)
August 30 – at Tobacco Road
September 13 – vs Greenwood Geese* (Home)
September 20 – vs Johnson City RFC* (Home)
October 4 – at Gaston County RFC*
October 11 – vs Freeport RFC (Old Boys + Men’s Friendly) (Home)
October 18 – vs Hellbenders RFC* (Home)
November 1 – TBD
November 15 – at Raleigh Redhawks*
November 22 – Toys for Tots Tournament (Home)
January 24 – at Triad RFC*
January 31 – at Hartsville RFC*
February 21 – vs Raleigh Redhawks (Home)
February 28 – vs Gaston County RFC* (Home)
March 7–8 – Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Tournament (Men and Old Boys)
March 21 – vs Tobacco Road (Home)
March 28 – TBD
April 11 – CGRU Championship
April 18 – Old Boys Weekend Match (Home)
April 30 – May 4 – International Tour to the Bahamas (Men and Old Boys matches)
For more information, contact us or follow the Bootleggers on social media for updates, match results, and club news. The club is on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok all found @claytonrfc
About Clayton RFC
Founded in 2013, Clayton Rugby Football Club is a community-driven rugby organization based in Clayton, North Carolina. The club fields multiple senior men’s sides an Old Boys side, a youth flag rugby program, and is dedicated to growing the sport of rugby in Johnston County and the surrounding region. The men train every Tuesday and Thursday night from 6:30-8pm during the season. Pre-season training starts on August 5th.
