They left the field last fall as two-time defending champions and bolstered their lineup over the summer. So it was no surprise the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women's rugby team debuted at the top of the rankings when Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) released its first-ever women's rugby rankings this week.

The Pronghorns, who defeated the St. Francis Xavier X-Women in last year's CIS final to become the first team to capture back-to-back Monilex trophies since Alberta in 2002 and 2003, received 88 points in the inaugural coaches poll.

St. FX, which claimed its lone CIS title in 2006 and has won 11 conference titles in 11 years since women's rugby was added to the AUS program in 1998, is ranked No. 2 with 69 points.

Following in order are 2008 CIS bronze medallist and OUA champion Guelph (65), reigning QSSF champion Laval (48), five-time CIS titlist Alberta (47), two-time Monilex trophy winner Western Ontario (46), McMaster (25), Concordia (22), Trent (13) and UBC (11).

The 2009 regular season kicks off this weekend with nine games in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. Canada West squads join the action on Sept. 25, with Lethbridge opening its title defence at home against Calgary on Sept. 26. That game will be part of the weekend festivities surrounding the opening of the new University of Lethbridge Community Sports Stadium.

The six-team CIS championship will be hosted by UBC in Vancouver, Nov. 5-8.

WOMEN'S RUGBY
(regular season record) / (votes) / (previous rankings)

1. Lethbridge (0-0) / 88 points / (-)
2. StFX (0-0) / 69 / (-)
3. Guelph (0-0) / 65 / (-)
4. Laval (0-0) / 48 / (-)
5. Alberta (0-0) / 47 / (-)
6. Western Ontario (0-0) / 46 / (-)
7. McMaster (0-0) / 25 / (-)
8. Concordia (0-0) / 22 / (-)
9. Trent (0-0) / 13 / (-)
10. UBC (0-0) / 11 / (-)

Other teams receiving votes: Brock (7), McGill (4), Queen's (2), Saint Mary's (1).