As students across the UK settle into their new homes and embark on their academic pursuits, the 2023-24 UK University sports season is almost underway.
Since its inaugural season, the BUCS Super Rugby League has been the curtain-raiser for the UK University sport calendar.
The League will once again proudly open the 2023-24 season on Wednesday 27th September as the most elite university rugby teams in the UK engage in an exhilarating opening round of matches.
Preseason preparations have been in full swing, with players working hard on their conditioning and physical fitness in the gym and on the pitch in anticipation of the intense season ahead. Their motivation? The coveted BUCS Super Rugby titles.
As the countdown to the season opener commences and the enthusiasm continues to build, we look at which teams will be competing at the highest level and what happened during last year’s campaign.
What is BUCS Super Rugby?
The BUCS Super Rugby League is the pinnacle of university rugby in the UK and features 10 of the best men’s teams across England and Wales.
Consisting of 18 rounds, the League is played in a double round-robin format, where teams play each other home and away. Upon the completion of the season, the top eight teams will battle it out in a knock-out Championship competition.
What is BUCS Super Rugby?
The BUCS Super Rugby League is the pinnacle of university rugby in the UK and features 10 of the best men’s teams across England and Wales.
Consisting of 18 rounds, the League is played in a double round-robin format, where teams play each other home and away. Upon the completion of the season, the top eight teams will battle it out in a knock-out Championship competition.
Meet The Teams
Introducing the 2023/24 BUCS Super Rugby teams:
Swipe to see which teams will be competing in the BUCS Super Rugby League this season.
Loughborough
Exeter
Durham
Bath
Hartpury
Cardiff
Cardiff Met
Nottingham
Swansea
Leeds Beckett
Looking Back At The 2022-23 BUCS Super Rugby League Season
180 games. 14,400 minutes. 1 champion. The BUCS Super Rugby League, where excellence meets competition, promises a season of university sport like no other.
And in the dramatic culmination of an unforgettable 2022-23 season, it was Loughborough who secured their first ever BUCS Super Rugby League title on the thrilling final day of the campaign.
A tense victory over Cardiff Met was enough to earn Loughborough the crucial bonus point needed to edge out rivals, Exeter by a mere one-point margin.
With impressive wins against Leeds Beckett (54 – 14) and Durham (37 – 15) and only four defeats all season, Loughborough will be aiming to build upon their success and establish themselves as a dominant force in the league for years to come, starting with an away trip to Nottingham.
Despite falling short of the League title by just a single point, Exeter managed to deny Loughborough a historic double by clinching a thrilling victory in an epic Championship final that required extra time to determine a winner.
After securing second place in the League for three consecutive seasons, Exeter are determined to reclaim the title they last held in 2019. They kick off their season with a home match against the 2017/2018 winners, Hartpury, in what promises to be a challenging start to their campaign.
After clinching the title two years in a row, Durham fell short in their bid for a third consecutive league title. Despite finishing in third place, the two-time champions managed to secure victories against both Loughborough and Exeter on home turf, falling just one win short of the top two teams in the league.
Durham are set to kick off their season against last year’s most improved team, Bath, in what promises to be one of the most highly anticipated fixtures on opening day.
Fourth placed Bath enjoyed a standout year, achieving a remarkable top-four finish in both the League and Championship competitions.
Their impressive league campaign was underscored by noteworthy victories over Loughborough (36 – 35) and Durham (40 – 13), demonstrating their ability to compete with the best teams in the country and signaling their readiness to contend for the title.
Hartpury showcased a considerable improvement from their previous campaign, securing a fifth-place finish.
Their journey was studded with remarkable victories, including a hard-fought 35-35 draw against the eventual champions, Loughborough, and a breathtaking 31-30 win over the runners-up, Exeter, solidifying their reputation as formidable contenders in the league. The 2016/17 winners begin their season with a tough away fixture to the reigning BUCS Super Rugby Championship winners, Exeter.
Cardiff, Cardiff Met and Swansea will once again battle it out to be named the best university team in Wales, where bragging rights are the ultimate prize.
Taking the honour last year was Cardiff who outperformed their rivals in both the League and Championship. As well as an impressive league campaign that saw them finish sixth, Cardiff also enjoyed a historic run in the Championship, exiting in the semi finals to eventual winners, Exeter.
Last year’s newcomers, Nottingham, wasted no time in making their mark in the league, starting with a strong 2-0 record with wins against Leeds Beckett (31 – 15) and Swansea (34 – 10).
The Green and Gold also secured a remarkable victory against eventual champions Loughborough with a score of 20-17 in January, further establishing their presence and credibility in the top flight of competition.
After finishing at the bottom of the League, Leeds Beckett secured a vital victory against 2022-23 Premier South Champions and National Vase winners, Brunel, in the BUCS Super Rugby Playoff to remain in the top flight. Following three consecutive league campaigns in the top five from 2017 to 2020, the former Championship semi-finalists are determined to recapture their previous form and will kick off their season with a challenging away match-up in Cardiff.
Discover the past champions of the BUCS Super Rugby League
Since its inaugural 2016-17 season, the BUCS Super League has seen its share of fierce competition and rising stars. With previous champions like Hartpury, Exeter, and Durham looking to reclaim the title, the stage is set for another thrilling season of UK university rugby.
We can’t to find out which team will emerge victorious this year and add their name to the prestigious list of BUCS Super League winners!
| BUCS Super League Winners | |
|---|---|
| Year | Winners |
| 2016/17 | Hartpury |
| 2017/18 | Exeter |
| 2018/19 | Exeter |
| 2019/20 | Durham* |
| 2021/22 | Durham |
| 2022/23 | Loughborough |
* Season ended early due to COVID
2020/21 season cancelled due to COVID
Learn more about BUCS Super Rugby and UK University Rugby Union
Although BUCS Super Rugby is highest level of Rugby Union in the U.K. University sport system, there are a wide range of opportunities for any student who wishes to compete alongside their degree.
Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, the U.K.’s tiered league structure provides a welcoming platform for both men’s and women’s teams to thrive and enjoy the sport while pursuing their degrees.
Universities across the U.K. are also equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure dedicated to supporting student-athletes, ensuring they have the tools they need to excel in both academics and rugby. From cutting-edge training facilities to expert coaching staff, these institutions are committed to helping you develop as a player and achieve your full potential both on and off the rugby field.
Learn more about how we can help you play rugby at the UK’s top sporting universities below.
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