Universities | Half-term report

Unbeaten runs and an increase in numbers have seen Scottish university teams across the country put themselves in the mix for silverware and add new teams.

Women’s rugby

Edinburgh University Women sit top of the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) leagues as eight wins from eight and over 400 points scored give them confidence as they target back-to-back tournament wins.

The capital team have also powered into the quarter-finals of the Sarah Beaney Cup and will be looking to reach the semis for the second year running.

Their West Coast counterparts, Glasgow University, are also unbeaten and top BUCS Scottish 1A.

Fine performances have also seen Glasgow challenge in the women’s club game and they sit second in BT National 1 with a game in hand over top of the league Broughton.

Club President of Glasgow University Women’s Rugby, Amy McGlashan said: “Over the past couple of years the club has grown both in numbers and retention. We also have a lot more girls keen to play and get into the game, who have never played before.

“Our training attendance has been progressively improved, which has been crucial in improving our game and skills.

University rugby is unique because you get to meet a hugely diverse group of people, who are all in a similar situation to you. There’s an automatic system of support and company, of people to eat, socialise and study with. Or help get you up for a 7am gym session!”

Edinburgh’s Varsity rivals, St Andrews University Women are one spot below Glasgow in BUCS Scottish 1A having only lost to Glasgow.

This year the Saints have also succeeded in fielding a second XV for the first time, capitalising on the limelight from the Varsity match to increase their rugby offering and grow the game.

Men’s rugby

Participation has risen for teams across the country in the men’s game, with a number of universities adding to playing numbers and creating new XVs.

Heriot Watt have expanded from 30 to 100 members playing for three sides rather than their previous two.

Aberdeen, Glasgow, Strathclyde, St Andrews and Edinburgh have all seen a boost to training numbers enabling them to field fourth teams.

Edinburgh University sit fifth in BUCS North A, while their second and third teams are top of their respective leagues.

Glasgow are second in North B in their debut season in the league and are closely followed by neighbours, Strathclyde University, in third.

Stirling University, Dundee University and Heriot Watt are all challenging for Scottish 1A.

Intramural rugby has also been a huge success this year with sixteen teams from Glasgow and Edinburgh Universities playing in Intramural leagues.

Intramural teams can give players the chance to play and enjoy the health and social benefits that rugby can bring in a more relaxed environment, increasing the opportunities for students to play rugby in a way that suits them.