University Rugby Update: First of the 2025/26 season
- England Rugby Universities
- Oct 2
- 4 min read
Welcome to your latest University Rugby Update!
Whether you're leading a student club, supporting players behind the scenes, or helping shape the future of university rugby, this is your space. Together, the RFU and SRFU are here to keep you in the loop with the latest tools, insights, opportunities, and offers designed to support everyone involved in the university rugby community. Let’s continue to grow the game, celebrate successes, and make rugby even more impactful across campuses.
August not only marked the start of an incredible Rugby World Cup on home soil, but also the significant return of the England Students Women’s programme. Read all about their first match in 20 years and their 74-22 victory over the UKAF Women’s Rugby team.
Check out the Spotlight > Have a story you want featured in our Spotlight? Get in touch with Elly White, Head of Communications e.white@studentsrfu.com.
To ensure your club is fully compliant and eligible to participate in Rugby Union please complete Player Registration process in the RFU Game Management System (GMS).
Player registration is now compulsory under RFU Regulation 13 and must be completed before your first rugby match to ensure eligibility and avoid sanctions.
Need help? Guidance, videos and steps for players and administrators is available here >
There are two Students’ Rugby Football Union (SRFU) grant offers available for this coming academic year.
PLAY open until 31 October 2025 - Up to £200 per club. This grant is designed to help university rugby clubs improve access and participation in non-BUCS rugby.
LEARN open until all funding has been allocated - University rugby clubs can apply for a £100 grant to support a student or staff member (one per club institution) in completing a Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course — the new national minimum standard for pitch-side first aid.
Referee Support
The Rugby Football Referees Union (Better Referee. Better Game) support and fund university referee programmes and need your help planning for this season.
Please complete this short survey, sharing information on university refereeing groups that are either formed, in their infancy, or planned.
John Pearson is the RFRU University Rep john.pearson@rfru.co.uk.
Inspire Leadership Programme for women
Applications are now open for the Inspire Leadership Programme for women aged 20-25 who are involved in rugby union, who might currently be leading or looking to lead in the future.
Applications close on Sunday 12 October.
2024-25 Rugby Data
We're asking all universities to now complete the participation data for the 24-25 season, this is essential to inform our work with the sector and evidencing the scale and impact of university rugby to the wider game.
Improving visibility in rugby
The Student’s RFU have created a communications campaign to run a profile series shining a spotlight on students from underrepresented communities. We aim to celebrate diversity, experiences and stories that highlight inclusion in rugby.
If you would like to be featured - please contact the SRFU info@studentsrfu.com.
Behaviour Charter
The Behaviour Charter was created in 2021 by the Higher Education Rugby Union Disciplinary Group with the goal of addressing the behavioural challenges in rugby union, increasing the awareness of reporting, and providing support to institutions for any behavioural challenges.
The charter has evolved to include a Behaviour Charter Toolkit, which aims to help institutions and students develop initiatives to support positive behaviour and culture.
Women's Rugby World Cup - Get involved!
As part of the 2025 Rugby World Cup legacy, the Impact '25 team at England Rugby are looking to support Women & Girls to become Coaches or Referees. Apply for support to attend RFU Courses for FREE >
We have a number of ways your University and students can get involved. For a complete guide of what’s available, please visit our RWC Hub >
Specifically for universities, the RWC is a great opportunity to give rugby a go. Our Non-contact format – T1 Rugby – is a great way to start, and there is lots of helpful information on how to play, session plans, etc on the T1 Rugby section of our website delivering-t1-rugby >
If you are planning to do a RWC themed event (which could be an watch party, give it a go session, or other activity) – this can be registered as a “Rugby Fest” event. Rugby Fest takes placed between 3 - 6 October and there’s lots of resources to help you promote your event here >
Students of the Rose is the first ever full behind-the-scenes documentary following an England Students men’s camp.
The documentary follows the students preparation, travel and fixture against France Universities (which unfortunately ended in a 42-31 defeat) giving the viewer unprecedented access to the inner sanctum of the squad including exclusive interviews.
The documentary was filmed, produced and edited by Will Gupwell. A former Exeter University student, Gupwell is now a comms and content producer at Northampton Saints as well as volunteering his time as a Communications Manager with the SRFU.
Watch Students of the Rose:
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