The schedule has been set, the preseason preparations completed and the friendly warmup games played.

Now, it's time for the men's 2013/14 Florida Rugby Union season to officially begin, and for the Sideline Whisperer to make his predictions once again.

Well, to be exact, only Division Two play starts this weekend, as the Division Three schedule doesn't start until January for some reason. Not sure how D3 players are going to survive these final three months of 2013 with minimal rugby of any kind, but they'll find a way to handle it I'm sure. Us rugby folk are a hardy bunch.

Division Two

Tampa Krewe at Naples Hammerheads - Probably the most interesting match of the opening weekend features the two west coast D2 squads. The Hammerheads easily took care of Krewe in the 2012/13 regular season, but Tampa got revenge in the state cup semifinals en route to their title. While All-Florida Weekend isn't the most accurate measure of how a team will do once the season starts, Krewe had great numbers at the event, while Naples struggled to field a competitive side. Also, I'm hearing that the Hammerheads might well begin the season missing a couple of key players from last campaign. For that reason I'm going to take Krewe to open with a victory. Tampa Krewe 30, Naples 17

Result: Tampa Krewe 10, Naples 19

Miami RFC at Boca Raton - Miami are coming off probably their worst season in recent memory, as they went winless in eight games to finish dead last in the standings by quite a margin. Meanwhile, Boca made the South playoffs, losing on the road to Atlanta Old White in the first round. Miami didn't make the trip to All-Florida Weekend, but did defeat Boca in a friendly the previous week. I can see the Bumblebees getting their first matrix win in long time in this one. Miami RFC 22, Boca Raton 20

Result: Miami RFC 29, Boca Raton 10

Miami Tridents at Orlando - The Tridents showed last year at times that they can beat any team in the state when they're on their game, but they've never been a very good traveling team, especially when forced to play outside of the South Florida area. Orlando put out a very young side at AFW and it will be interesting to see how they do at the beginning of the year. I have a suspicion the Tridents will sneak this one by a slight margin. Tridents 30, Orlando 27

Result: Tridents 41, Orlando 14

Yes, going out on a limb here with all three road teams winning, but I think the D2 competition is going to be wide open this season. Good luck to all teams!

The Sideline Whisperer
sidelinewhisperer@rugbyfl.com 

Record: 2-1