The Boys Elite U18 bracket at the NAI 7s is about as good as a Boys sevens list as you're likely to find anywhere in North America.

Few tournaments can approach the level of competitiveness from top to bottom, with players who track to be starters as freshmen in college rugby, or who have a legitimate shot at a national team look very soon. 

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Pool A

Eagle Impact Rugby Academy

This is an almost completely new squad compared to the team that won in 2017. But that doesn't mean this is a squad that is overmatched. Will Chevalier is a very talented playmaker, and Alex Cleary is a bruising forward. The guy to really watch is someone who burst onto the scene for Fort Hunt at the 2017 HS National Championships — Jack McCrossin. He brings an engine and a physicality that could turn the tournament around.

Canadian Misfits

We've covered this team fairly closely, and this is a group that can win it all. There are a few young guys who might be getting their first exposure to this level, but overall, this is an excellent Misfits team.

USA South

Lots of experience in this group is undercut by a bounce between 15s and sevens. Of course, we say that about the South and not about EIRA and they've got the same issue. Still, this, along with out-and-out pace, is the issue for a well-drilled South team.

Atlantis II

Yes, Atlantis is fielding two teams in the Elite bracket, which is an impressive accomplishment in itself. Last year, the Atlantis second team was almost exclusively U17, and did quite well. Watch for this team to challenge for the consolation bracket. But the top four? Will be tough to match the older teams' physicality. They have tons of pace.

Our pick? It's a tossup but we're leaning Misfits over EIRA to win this pool, with Atlantis maybe edging South for third.

Pool B

Upright Rugby Rogues

Winners in 2016, the Rogues have battled the Misfits for players a little bit and that might undercut what is a team that's very good on the restarts and hard-hitting on defense.

Atlantis I

A team with players who were there as youngsters and won't be intimidated. Watch for a lot of interplay, a lot of passing.

Rocky Mountain Rebels.

Power, intelligence, and a lot of hard work. Can they blow up a team in the rucks? They will have to.

Arizona Bobcats

Maybe a bit younger than the others, this will be a tough pool to win for a solid squad.

Our pick? Atlantis I. They could go all the way, but we're looking for Rocky Mountain to challenge Upright for second.

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