Welcome to your latest update for all things university rugby! Abby Dow Confirmed – Final Chance to Join Us We’re delighted to confirm England World Cup winner Abby Dow as a headline speaker at the University Rugby Development Day & Awards 2026 Tuesday 5 May, bringing insight from England international rugby, performance mindset, and player identity. Attendees will also have the opportunity to submit questions for Abby in advance via the sign up form. Last chance to sign up –

By Kwesi Boateng It is widely reported that Rugby Union’s struggle to grow in England is driven by financial instability, safety concerns, or shifting lifestyle habits. While these factors play a role, I believe my background and upbringing reveal a more fundamental issue. Access and perception. I grew up in a working‑class, football‑dominated part of Manchester. In communities like mine, rugby is often viewed as an exclusive, upper‑class game. That perception alone is enoug

The Students Rugby Football Union (SRFU) is seeking support from the university sector to help host a short England Students Women’s Rugby training camp and international fixture this summer. Following the successful relaunch of the programme and its first match in 20 years, the England Students Women’s team is planning a camp and fixture against the UK Armed Forces Women’s Rugby team during the week commencing 6 July, concluding on 10 or 11 July . To enable this, the SRFU is

The shortlist for the University Rugby Awards 2026 has been confirmed, highlighting exceptional contributions from across university rugby. Find out who takes home the awards at the University Rugby Development Day on Tuesday 5 May – free to attend sign up closes 21 April HERE Outstanding Club Award King's College London RFC Exeter University Women's Rugby Club University of Warwick Women’s Rugby Union Club Manchester Medics Rugby Union Football Club University of Bath Rugby

The 2026 England Students Men’s fixture against France Universities is confirmed for 2:30pm on Saturday 2nd May at Kingston Park Stadium in Newcastle.  

Welcome to your latest update for all things university rugby! SPOTLIGHT: Reading and Southampton fortifying women’s rugby An inside look at how Reading and Southampton are nurturing new players and strengthening university women’s rugby HERE   Nominate Outstanding University Rugby Contributors – Last Chance!  It’s time to celebrate the incredible students, staff, and volunteers who make university rugby happen every single day! Nominations are across seven award categories –

Across university women’s rugby, growth often begins quietly, with a small group of students, a simple idea, and the confidence to try something new. This year, both Reading University and the University of Southampton reflect that spirit as they expand opportunities for new players and build vibrant, supportive rugby communities. At Reading , history was made when the Women’s 2nd team played their first ever home match. It was a milestone that showed how far the club has com

England Students Rugby is seeking a capable and committed medical doctor to join our multidisciplinary performance team for the 2025/26 representative season. This voluntary role offers a unique opportunity to provide medical leadership and support within a national programme for university players. The successful applicant will work with the England Students Men’s and/or Women’s squads, delivering high quality medical care across training camps and fixtures, and contributin

Welcome to your latest update for all things university rugby! SPOTLIGHT: United Bristol Hospitals RFC (UBHRFC) The Medics club celebrates 80 years of university rugby in 2026 — a proud milestone for one of the sector’s longest-standing medical‑school teams. HERE   Varsity and Finals Season - Toolkit As we approach the end of another exciting university rugby season, we wanted to remind institutions and their clubs there is a section on controlling spectator behaviour & other

The Students RFU is recruiting a Strength & Conditioning Lead to support the England Students Men’s programme, the highest level of university rugby in England. The programme offers a performance-focused environment for English-qualified student-athletes, culminating in an international fixture against France Universities over the first bank holiday weekend in May 2026. Working with the coaching and management team, you will help prepare the squad for training camp and match

United Bristol Hospitals RFC (UBHRFC) is celebrating an extraordinary milestone this season, marking 80 years since the club was founded in 1946. Originally created to give medical students at the University of Bristol a way to balance demanding academic schedules with social yet high-level rugby, the club has grown into a welcoming and community-driven side within the university game. Today, UBHRFC attracts its largest and most diverse membership yet, drawing in students fro

Join us on Tuesday 5 May 2026 at Sixways Stadium, Worcester - this year’s theme, Your Game, Your Identity, Your Future, focuses on how clubs can build strong, authentic identities that influence not only their members, but the wider university environment. 🔥 What’s on the Programme NEW Headline Speaker: Abby Dow – Identity, Performance & the Future of the Women’s Game  Hear from former England international Abby Dow , whose career spans 59 caps and 50 international tries,

England Rugby are pleased to invite Directors of Sport to the ‘University Rugby Summit’ in Spring 2026. On the 17th of March 2026 at the Allianz Stadium, with members of the RFU Executive, we will share the RFU's Plan 2030 and what it means for universities and begin to co-create with universities a long-term vision for Rugby Union in this important sector. University rugby union remains a strong component of the community game, with over 10,000 male and 5,000 female parti

University Rugby Update: January 2026

The Students Rugby Football Union (SRFU) is delighted to confirm that England Students will face France Universities over the first May Bank Holiday weekend (Friday 1st or Saturday 2nd May 2026) on home soil. Le Crunch Universitaire returns to English soil once again for the biggest clash in the University calendar. The venue will be announced soon, and it promises to be a fantastic setting for this prestigious encounter. Last year’s match saw the French emerge victorious on

For this month’s spotlight, we speak with King’s College London medical student Sanaa Sarfraz, a member of the Guy’s, King’s & St Thomas’ Women’s Rugby Football Club, who has been honoured by the RFU President with the ‘Value the Volunteer’ award.

Do you want to help make university rugby more inclusive and welcoming for everyone? The Students’ Rugby Football Union (SRFU) is looking for a passionate volunteer to lead and coordinate our EDI work. Download the full recruitment pack below: What you’ll do: Deliver our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan. Lead the EDI Advisory Group and turn ideas into practical actions. Support campaigns, share best practice, and represent SRFU in key forums. What we’

The final University Rugby Update of the Year

We caught up with the University of Nottingham Men’s Rugby Union Club to spotlight their Movember fundraising walk to Twickenham.

Welcome to your latest University Rugby Update!