The AIC Rugby season is more of a sprint than a marathon and already we've reached the halfway point mark of the 2021 campaign.

With teams set to play two back to back matches in the coming days, we caught up with the coaches to get their views on the season so far.

Padua with Shane Buckley

Padua have had a tough start to the season, playing the only two remaining undefeated teams in the opening three rounds.

We caught up with coach Shane Buckley to get his views at the midway point of the season.

2021: 6th; 1 win, 2 losses

Remaining matches: Marist (H), Eddies (H), Iona (A), Villanova (A)

How would you describe your side’s start to the season?

“I think that the coaching staff and the players would agree that our start has been below our expectations,” Padua coach Shane Buckley told Rugby News.