England Students Men’s fixture returns to the North in May
- Elly White
- Apr 3
- 2 min read
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.
Tickets are available to purchase now, priced at £10 for adults and £5 for students and under-18s.
The England Students Men’s team are looking for redemption in this annual fixture that marks the end of the university rugby season. Last year’s match saw the French side emerge victorious, 42-31, on home soil at the Stade Beaudry Stadium in Terrasson-Lavilledieu.
This year’s fixture returns to the venue of a thrilling Le Crunch Battle in 2022, which saw the England Students home team clinch victory 16-15. We hope to see plenty of supporters come along for what promises to be another epic clash in this long-standing rivalry!
In late April, the England Students will come together to train at RAF Leeming, led by Head Coach Martin Webdale, Loughborough University’s Head Coach, alongside Assistant Coaches Kerry Woods and David Ross and Team Manager Andrew Kennedy. Supporting the team are Doctor Luis Mendia, Physio Stephen Rowell, S&C Lead Jack Perry, Analyst Ethan Wetherell and Kit & Logistics Stu Darby.
For media enquiries, interview opportunities or more information, please contact Elly White, SRFU Head of Communications at e.white@studentsrfu.com.
About England Students:
England Student Representative XV was formed in the early 1970s, with the first fixture against France Universities two decades ago marking the beginning of a successful and enduring partnership between the sides.
By bringing together the best talent from across the English and French student populations to battle it out on the field of play, each nation aims to shine a spotlight on university rugby and the power it has to uncover and develop the next generation of professional players.
Among those who have represented England Students in recent years are 7s star and Olympic silver medallist Dan Bibby, Bristol Bears back row Fitz Harding, Bath hooker Tom Dunn, and Exeter Chiefs tighthead Harry Williams, as well as England greats such as Josh Lewsey, Tom Mitchell (GB 7’s captain) Will Greenwood and Lawrance Dallaglio. While France Universities count Fabien Galthié, Thierry Dusautoir, Raphaël Ibanez and Serge Betsen among their esteemed alumni.
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