2013/2014 University Rugby Post Christmas Preview - Interview Exclusives

After the highs of Christmas and the New Year have long-since died down, University Students have returned to places of study for their dreaded January exams; however, the New Year is always sure to bring one thing to cheer us all up – the second instalment of the university rugby season.

As ever, Talking Rugby Union will be bringing you all the latest news, analysis, scores, pictures and videos from university rugby across the country and across the BUCS leagues.

Before Christmas, when students returned home and the BUCS rugby competition enjoyed its annual intermission, the competition was really beginning to heat-up in both the northern and southern leagues.

Firstly, in the Northern Premier A League, Champions Durham, as ever, came out of the blocks flying at the start of the season, brushing past all that was in front of them on their way to a five-game win streak.

However, towards the end of November Durham lost at home 5-13 to a visiting Loughborough side.

After clear room at the top of the league before the game, a number of other teams were given the chance to have their own run at the top spot, with Loughborough and Leeds Met now hot on the tails of Durham.

At the Christmas break Durham currently sit top of the tree with 33 points; however, just two behind are Loughborough – each side with three games to play.

Just behind first and second are Leeds Met on 27 points and then Northumbria on 24.

The competition springs back into life this coming Wednesday, as all the universities make their final charge towards the knockout stages of the competition.

Durham welcome fifth place and local rivals Newcastle, whilst Loughborough host sixth place Nottingham at Epinal Way in another local derby and finally, there is a varsity repeat in Yorkshire as Leeds Met travel the short distance to bottom of the league Leeds Carnegie.

With just three games left in the season before the knockout stages, we at Talking Rugby Union caught up with Durham head coach Alex Keay, to find out his views on the coming games and his side’s preparations for the knockout stages.

Alex maintained that Durham “are confident about their chances this season.

“There are some good sides out their playing great rugby, but, yeah, we are confident about our chances of winning the league and getting a shot at Twickenham.”

Listen to the full interview with Alex Keay here:

In the Northern Premier B league this week third place Nottingham Trent welcome second place Durham seconds, as both sides challenge for the top spot.

Leaders Birmingham – five points ahead of Durham – rest this first week back, as York welcome Edinburgh to Yorkshire and Sheffield Hallam host Loughborough seconds.

 

Across the midlands border, now, and over to the Southern Premier A League.

Similarly to their northern counterparts, a side flew out of the blocks and into an early league lead, with a commanding grip over their rivals – Hartpury.

The University of West England raced away to a four game win streak, with impressive victories over Swansea twice, Cardiff Uni and Bristol, until they game unstuck on the road to rivals Exeter.

Exeter welcomed Hartpury to their Topsham Playing Fields Ground and turned over the league leaders in an incredibly close-fought 11 points to 9 victory.

The game, as of yet, has been Hartpury’s only loss of the season, as they currently sit top of the league on 35 points, with Exeter in second place with 29 and two losses to their name.

Exeter lost in their final game before Christmas away to Cardiff Met University 37-15, who currently sit third in the league on 27 points.

The other loss was at the hands of Bath, who have been somewhat of a conundrum so far this season.

Bath currently sit fourth with a strong 25 points, but, disappointingly, with four losses to their name.

The West Country outfit opened their season with strong victories over Bristol, Cardiff Met and Exeter, but lost their way with a number of bad performances and a particularly damaging 51-5 defeat on the road to Hartpury.

Head Coach Aaron James spoke to Talking Rugby Union, ahead of the second part of the university rugby season and emphasised that Bath are still well within the hunt this year.

Listen to our full interview with Aaron here:

 

There are only four teams in action on this first week back, as Cardiff Met host local rivals Cardiff Uni and fifth placed Bristol welcome table topper Hartpury.

However, next Wednesday brings us one of the most eagerly anticipated games of the season so far as second place Exeter make the tough trip to leaders Hartpury; whilst Cardiff Uni host Swansea.

 

In the Southern Premier B League this week there is only one game, as Reading University take on the University of South Wales.

 

Finally, we at Talking Rugby Union spoke to one of Manchester Met University’s joint head coaches, Rob Jones, about how his side have been fairing this year and the shape of university rugby in the competition’s lower leagues.

Manchester Met, who play in the Northern 2A League, have struggled this year with just one win to their name so far; sitting in the penultimate place in the league. However, the Metropolitan side does face some tough competition, which includes Lancaster first team, Edge Hill, Liverpool seconds and Keele University.

Rob admitted that his side have really struggled this year after losing a number of players, but he did maintain that there is still a long time left in the season, where plenty of things can change.

Hear our full interview with Rob below:

 

With the re-commencing of the university rugby season now just hours away, we at Talking Rugby cannot wait!

The final few rounds and then the knockout stages are already lining up to be a fantastic illustration of great rugby.

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