Louisiana State University Head Coach informed RUGBYMag.com Friday that the Tigers will not be able to attend the new USA Rugby Collegiate 7s Championships December 16-17 at Texas A&M.

 LSU has declined the invitation to be an at-large team, McLean said.

""We are honored to be asked ... but will not be able to attend," McLean said in an email.

McLean cited the short notice, the dates of the event, which conflict with players' plans to travel home for the holidays, and injuries as the reason.

"We just received word that we were invited this past Wednesday," he said. "We have been hit by a severe injury bug this fall and we are very thin in fit sevens players at the moment. We wish all the teams the best of luck, especially our SEC conference teams, Florida, the University of Tennessee, and Texas A&M."

McLean ended with a sincere hope to be able to play next year.