Roger Williams University Men's Rugby

Notable Achievements 2013 Colonial Coast Conference 7’s Champions 2013 NSCRO – National 7’s Championships 2013 Colonial Coast Conference Regular Season Champion 7-0 2014 Colonial Coast Conference Regular Season Champion 8-0 2014 Colonial Coast Conference Champion 2014 USA Rugby Northeast Region Champion – Nation Sweet 16 2015 Rugby Northeast Regular Season Champion 8-0 2016 Beast of the East Division 2 Champion Christian Palombo has been with the Roger Williams Athletic Department since 1999. He is currently the Men’s Rugby Head Coach.   Prior to becoming head coach in 2005, Palombo served as an assistant coach for the program from the fall of 1999 to 2000, head coach from 2000-01, and volunteer assistant coach from to 2001 to Spring of 2005. Palombo also had a very successful career as a player and student at Roger Williams immediately prior to joining the department.   In addition to his responsibilities as the Men’s Rugby Head Coach at Roger Williams, Palombo oversees the Roger Williams University Rugby Alumni Community for both the men’s and women’s programs facilitating bi-annual alumni events.   Palombo earned a wealth of playing, coaching, and administrative experience during playing years and through his professional experiences. Palombo’s playing experience from 1999 to 2009 with Providence Rugby Football Club (Center, Flyhalf) included 3 New England Championships in 2002 (National Sweet 16), 2005, and 2009 (National Sweet 16). Administratively, Palombo maintained many roles with PRFC and the Rhode Island Rugby Football Foundation including Selector, Vice President, and President. Professionally, Christian is the Vice President of Sales for a venture-backed startup in Cambridge, Mass.   Palombo attended Roger Williams University with a Major in Psychology and Minor in Human Biology. In addition to playing rugby, Palombo was an active member of the Roger Williams Community serving as President of the Student Senate, Class Officer, and Resident Assistant.   Palombo resides in Riverside, Rhode Island with his four children and is active in the community. Outside of coaching at RWU Christian can be found coaching with Riverside Little League, AAU Baseball, and Recreation Basketball.  

Caitlin Mallahan enters her first season as Head Coach of the RWU Women’s Rugby Club Team.   Mallahan graduated from Roger Williams in 2021 with Degrees in History and Secondary Education with a minor in Latin. During her time at RWU, she was a four-year member of the women’s rugby team and was selected as team captain in her junior and senior year.   Mallahan is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree at Roger Williams in Special Education.