University Rugby Update: October 2025
- England Rugby Universities
- Oct 30
- 3 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.
For this month’s spotlight feature, we caught up with the University of Manchester Women's Rugby Union Club (UMWRFC) to learn more about how they’re helping new players to get involved in the sport.
Have a story you want featured in our Spotlight? Get in touch with Elly White, Head of Communications e.white@studentsrfu.com.
This University KitBag provides information and resources to support you in your role as an Institution growing rugby union in your university and across the sector.
All players at all levels of the game at university must now register to play rugby prior to their first fixture.
If you played rugby at university last season, played club rugby or have booked onto a training course in the past, you will likely have an account already. Help and support are available here. Spot checks will be made for BUCS & NAMS teams across the season, as per Appendix 18.
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 course.
There will be four regional forums taking place in November-December 2025; each forum will last three hours. We are inviting all university workforce, staff, and students from every member university/club to attend the forums.
North - Wetherby RFC | Tuesday 18th November 2025 at 2pm
Midlands - Loughborough University | Thursday 20th November 2025 at 12:30pm
South West - Bristol University | Tuesday 25th November 2025 at 4:30pm
South East - Allianz Stadium, Twickenham | Thursday 4th December 2025 at 9:00am
As a part of a project with the RFU and Warwick University, we’re speaking with women and girls across rugby to understand how coaching language impacts playing environments. If you have any experience playing or coaching women’s rugby at any level in England, we’d love to chat to you in a relaxed interview to hear your perspectives on how coaching language has shaped your experiences.
Player welfare and safety are paramount for all university rugby activity. To support institutions and your clubs in understanding their responsibilities under Regulation 9, we created a university guidance document.
Clinique, the official partner of World Cup-winning Red Roses, is on the hunt for four more grassroots women’s rugby teams to sponsor - and it could be yours.
Are you a student from an underrepresented community with a story to share?
Join our campaign to spotlight voices that make rugby stronger and more inclusive.
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