University Rugby Team Goes Nuts For Brazil

Edinburgh University RFC (EURFC) left Heathrow Airport on a four-match tour of Brazil today where they will face the world’s 28th ranked side in two ‘Test’ matches.The sixteen-day tour marks the 25th anniversary of the club’s last visit to South America with the matches against the country’s national team broadcast live on Brazilian television.Edinburgh University RFC (EURFC) left Heathrow Airport on a four-match tour of Brazil today where they will face the world’s 28th ranked side in two ‘Test’ matches.The sixteen-day tour marks the 25th anniversary of the club’s last visit to South America with the matches against the country’s national team broadcast live on Brazilian television.Famed for producing the best footballers in the world, Brazil will host rugby’s return to the Olympics in the 2016 Games in Rio.EURFC back-row, Tom Broadhead, is delighted to be testing the water for Scottish rugby.He said: “The tour is a high-profile sporting event for both Edinburgh University, one of the co-founding members of the Scottish Rugby Union, and Brazilian rugby. We’re very proud to play such an integral role in the promotion of the sport, building up to 2016.”We’ll also be giving something back to the rugby community and will be spending some time in Brazil coaching underprivileged children.”Matches against the nation’s Under-23 team and a south-east select will complete the tour, acting as a period of intensive preparation for the university who will enter the British Universities and Colleges Premier Leagues next season.Broadhead added: “Our coach David [Adamson] has transformed the club’s ethos and instilled in the players a professional attitude to the sport, with former Scotland internationalist, Hawick and Edinburgh Accies coach, Ian Barnes, operating as a forwards consultant, supported by the Edinburgh University Sports Union. The students could not be better set for further development.”Edinburgh’s students realise that playing in the higher league is a huge responsibility, considering no Scottish University team has played in this league for several years.”Recognising the challenge lying ahead, the new coaching team have already started planning for the next season. Exciting times lie in store for Edinburgh University Rugby.Tour itinerary:Thursday 2 June – Edinburgh University RFC depart from Heathrow AirportSaturday 4 June – Match 1 v Brazil, Herminio Esposito Municipal Stadium,  Sao Paulo, KO 1pmSaturday 11 June – Match 2 v Brazil U23, Joao Do Pulo Stadium, Sao Jose dos Campos, KO 3pmTuesday 14 June – Match 3 v South-east select, Cheirinho Do Gol, Rio de Janeiro, KO 8.30pmFriday 17 June – Match 4 v Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (stadium tbc), KO 8pmSunday 19 June – Edinburgh University RFC return