How long has Mary Washington waited for this day? Five months.

With the D1AA season split into two part, the Mothers won the fall championship in December and then had to wait all that time to learn who their opponent would be in the all-D1AA title game. When Dartmouth emerged as the spring final winner, Mary Washington finally had its answer. 

Both teams played difficult games during their buildup to Saturday's D1AA championship, which kicks off at 2:15 PM (3:15 ET) at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, CA. The Mothers notably came close to knocking of D1A power Navy, while those same Midshipmen blew out the D1AA finalist Big Green.

Watch the 2018 D1AA Final LIVE on FloRugby

The series of warmup games—and the long wait—has worn on UMW, and the team's leadership was frustrated with waiting to finalize travel plans, as well.

Finally, now, the Mothers are in Southern California and training under the lights.

“We are looking good," UMW director of rugby Tim Brown said. "Guys are positive and had a great week of training. We are held together with duct tape and glue right now but happy to be able to take the ring and fight."

For Dartmouth, working rugby around schoolwork and exams has been a challenge, but head coach James Willocks is pretty happy that his team is in a national final.

"We played Army, Navy, and Cal, and it was tough for us, especially with two freshmen and a sophomore in the front row, but in the long term those games were hugely beneficial," Willocks said. "Our set piece is solid. We feel we can control the controllables, and we just need to execute our roles and responsibilities."

The Big Green are headed to California in two weeks time for the D1AA National Championship vs. Mary Washington. Great job lads! pic.twitter.com/vBtZVw30tr

— Dartmouth Rugby (@dartmouthrugby) April 21, 2018

Two weeks ago in the spring final against Nevada, Dartmouth was pushed hard before a stream of tries in the final 10 minutes flattered, somewhat, the Big Green in a 60-20 victory. 

Willocks said his team wasn't clinical enough but will need to be against Mary Washington. Meanwhile, the Mothers have bounced between 15s and sevens, playing in the Cherry Blossom Tournament and testing themselves against men's teams. They are prepared but may be hurting.

Brown said that's to be expected.

"All rugby teams the world over have to dig deep at championship time, and we will be ready to play 80 minutes or more if needed," Brown said.

Watch for both teams to try to play fast, with UMW trying to exert a bit of physical dominance in loose play and Dartmouth trying to nail down those scrums and lineouts. Both teams can boot the ball, and the final may well come down to a kick here or there.