BUCS Rugby

Following the England Students’ 16-15 win over France Universities at Kingston Park last Friday, TRU’s Joe Harvey spoke to coaches and members of the playing squad about their week and how the team rallied to beat the French.

England Students picked up a 16-15 win over France Universities at Kingston Park on Friday afternoon, the boot of Loughborough’s Charlie Titcombe doing the work in the northeast as the Students returned after three years.

Ahead of the England Students’ return this Friday afternoon against France at Kingston Park, former England flanker, Mark Wilson, spoke about coaching the team with Darren Fearn and his thoughts on the value of university rugby.

The Palatinate had topped the table in the domestic season in BSR, but Dafydd Jenkins's late try saw Exeter pick up their first Championship crown since 2016.

Hartpury lifted the BUCS Women’s National League National Championship for the first time on Wednesday afternoon by beating the University of Edinburgh 36-22 at Sixways, with a hat-trick of tries coming from hooker, Amy Dale.

Having progressed to the latter stages in BUCS Super Rugby in recent years, the Green and Whites are determined to finally get their hands on the championship title.

After an injury-ravaged spell in Premiership Academies, Lewis Barratt is now loving life with the University of Nottingham as the team aims to reach BUCS Super Rugby, all whilst balancing his studies and playing in the Championship at the weekends.

Denholm was part of the Edinburgh side who were denied an appearance in the final in 2020 due to the pandemic, but the Scottish outfit are back on the big stage and ready to add another title to their list of honours.

After a long absence due to funding cuts and Covid-19, England Students will take on French Universities at Kingston Park on April 22nd in a standalone fixture.

Bristol Bears announced the signing of three exciting prospects from BUCS Super Rugby this week and Durham University graduate Fitz Harding discusses how student rugby paved his way to the big time.

After defeating Loughborough in the semi-finals, the Durham University skipper has one final assignment to complete before he joins Bristol Bears as the Palatinate aim for a BUCS Super Rugby league and cup double.

Paul Westgate’s side completed part one of what could be a memorable season whilst the University of Exeter ended the campaign with a league and cup double on BUCS Big Wednesday.

As England prepare to face Wales, there will be some noise surrounding Alex Dombrandt given his affiliation with Cardiff Met and whilst he is one of the university's biggest stars, TRU's Joe Harvey took a closer look into the fabric of the Archers.

The University Rugby pathway has quite rightly been in the headlines over the last couple of weeks and at Exeter, their conveyor belt of talent is also something to applaud.

The London Irish forward has played his part in the Exiles’ recent upturn in fortunes and TRU heard from his former and current head coach about the 22-year-old’s rise to the Premiership.

Wales boss Wayne Pivac has tipped the 19-year-old to be an international star and Tshiunza's university coach has also predicted a bright future for the teenage powerhouse who is set to earn his first cap.

Danny Milton’s side braved the elements to see off Hartpury in Round Four whilst there were victories for Durham, Exeter, Loughborough and a first win for Swansea.

Two sides maintained their strong starts to the season in BUCS Super Rugby, plus it was a memorable day for Christ Tshiunza who received a call-up to the Wales squad.

Scottish loosehead prop Tom Banatvala is fully fit and ready to attack the rest of the 2021/22 rugby season with Durham University and hopefully the national under-20s team with gusto.

Whilst more competitive rugby returned across the student game on Wednesday, the University of Leeds are focused on reintegrating their players back into the sport.