[00:01] Jon opens the episode and recaps details of the 2026 US Rugby Hall of Fame ceremony, presented by Major League Rugby, on Friday, August 14th in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, plus the USA vs. Argentina men's test match the following night.

[01:25] Jon introduces James Rose as this year's Men's Prusmack Award winner, given to the top male college rugby sevens player as voted by coaches and media.

[01:46] James says he was shocked to get the call about winning the award.

[02:03] James confirms he's from Green Bay, Wisconsin, and is a Packers fan.

[02:37] James discusses his family's roots in Green Bay and that his family still lives there.

[02:59] James shares he grew up wrestling and playing rugby, plus one year of football he didn't love.

[03:12] James explains his father played rugby and coached him, so he's been around the sport essentially since birth, progressing from flag rugby to middle school and high school tackle rugby.

[03:33] James lists his youth clubs: Green Bay Rugby Club, the Green Bay Leprechauns, Badger Selects, Rebels, and the Wisconsin IRA select side.

[04:10] James discusses eight years of wrestling before mostly shifting his focus to rugby in high school, crediting wrestling for his physicality and body awareness on the field.

[05:20] James describes rugby's growth in Wisconsin, including an 80-kid flag rugby program he now helps coach.

[06:01] James considers coaching as a possible future path, following in his father's footsteps.

[06:31] James explains that rugby in his area runs through clubs rather than official high school programs, pulling players from several nearby towns.

[07:31] James describes the travel required for matches, from 30-minute drives to three-hour trips to tournaments in Madison.

[08:13] James talks about his siblings — an older brother who no longer plays, a younger sister at Life University, and a younger brother heading into his senior year — plus his mom now getting into rugby herself.

[09:05] James jokes about the friendly pressure of his sister's success, noting she already has three national championships to his one.

[09:57] James details his positions: ten and center in high school, now primarily wing and fullback at Life University.

[10:39] James recounts how Life University reached out late in his recruiting process and won him over with the seriousness of the program.

[11:24] James shares his long-term goals: Major League Rugby, a shot with the Eagles, and potentially opportunities overseas.

[11:52] James walks through his age-grade and select-side career, including Badger Selects, Midwest tournaments, Rebels, and two Wisconsin IRA tours to Spain in his junior and senior years of high school.

[13:00] James explains he just missed U20 eligibility, turning 21 in mid-December, and reflects on the U20 Eagles' competitive showing against England.

[14:18] James compares sevens and fifteens, describing the space and freedom of sevens versus the structure and cohesion required in fifteens.

[15:00] James discusses the differing physical and tactical demands of training for sevens versus fifteens.

[15:23] James shares team travel traditions at Life University, including freshman singing initiations on the bus.

[16:04] James recalls singing a Tyler Childers song with his sister on a trip to the Fall Classic.

[17:19] James highlights career favorites: reaching the national championship as a freshman and winning the Fall Classic twice.

[17:55] James outlines his plans after college — finishing his business degree, avoiding further schooling if possible, and pursuing a professional rugby opportunity.

[19:11] James shares what he enjoys outside of rugby: eating well, working out, and fishing — smallmouth bass back home in Wisconsin, largemouth bass in Georgia.

[20:02] James adds that swimming is another way he relaxes and aids recovery between training sessions.

[20:36] James reflects on how he hopes his teammates would describe him — hardworking and team-first.

[21:02] James recounts his leadership experience as captain in high school and with the Badger Selects.

[21:50] Jon asks James to sum up his rugby life in one word; James answers "fun."

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