Talking Rugby Union has a partnership with BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) so we can provide our readers with the latest, original content from the BUCS Super Rugby division as well as other university rugby news.
Added to that, we produce match reports, features, interviews and video including highlights from Twickenham Finals day and tournaments.
A Covid affected 2021 meant many tournaments fell by the wayside, but having returned to a sense of normality, festivals such as Bournemouth 7s are an opportunity for players and teams alike to shine once again.
The England 7s flyer was given another opportunity to link up with the programme and the Durham University graduate is now looking forward to an exciting period for sevens which begins in London this weekend.
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.
With the BUCS Women’s National League Final coming to Sixways this week, two-time BUCS winning coach, Jo Yapp, spoke to TRU about her all-beating University of Exeter team and her current role with Worcester Warriors Women.
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.
Stratford, who is back plying his trade at Hartpury RFC, spoke to TRU’s Joe Harvey about the club’s player pathway.
Making his 100th appearance for Gloucester at the start of December, lock forward Freddie Clarke spoke to TRU’s Joe Harvey about his personal landmark, getting further responsibilities and the club’s season so far.
Ahead of his Champions Cup bow against Castres, Harlequins’ flanker Jack Kenningham spoke to TRU’s Joe Harvey about his rise to the top, time at the University of Bath and the joy of playing in front of fans.
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.
.jpg "Freddie Steward scored his first try for England at the weekend against Australia")
Freddie Steward watched the 2019 World Cup final at Loughborough with his university teammates but just over two years later, one of England's most exciting talents is now set to face South Africa on Saturday.
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.
England face world champions New Zealand on Sunday at Sandy Park and the Exeter influence is wider than just the venue for this opening autumn international.
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.
The top league in the university game returned after an 18 month absence, but based on Round One's action, it was like BUCS Super Rugby had never been away.
With BUCS Super Rugby kicking off this week and the university game clicking back into life, the recognition this level of the sport is receiving is only increasing.
The perfect mix of stepping into the unknown and the excitement of a new term means we should be in for a fascinating BUCS Super Rugby campaign which begins on September 29th.
Combining her role with captaining Gloucester-Hartpury in the Allianz Premier 15s and coaching the university side in the BUCS National League, Natasha Hunt exclusively spoke to TRU about the pathway the club are providing.
BUCS Super Rugby have announced their schedule for the 2021/22 season and TRU chatted to Durham University boss Alex Keay about the last 18 months + the return of the student game.
After representing Cardiff Met and Harlequins at Twickenham, Alex Dombrandt is once again back at England HQ and his full international debut could be another catalyst in his unique journey.
Speaking to TRU's Gary Heatly, the Oxford fly-half discusses why the Varsity Match is such a special occasion.
.jpg "Alex Dombrandt is one of the major university rugby success stories")
This season Harlequins will be competing in their first Premiership semi-final since 2014 and a quartet of players who have experienced the university game have helped the club edge towards a potential second title.
The Bath winger admits some of the senior players in the squad have emphasised the importance of the Blue, Black and White lifting their first piece of silverware for 13 years ahead of their Challenge Cup semi-final with Montpellier.
They are gearing up for their Women's Six Nations opener against England on Saturday, and Gary Heatly exclusively spoke to those who have witnessed the rise of Scotland's uncapped quartet.
.jpg "Eilidh McNab was a key part of the University Stirling's women's team")
On International Women’s Day, it is fitting to mark the recent work done by the Stirling University Women’s rugby team
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