The rugby union network includes both professional staff and volunteers who support universities and young people. To help you start or develop your university rugby union programme there is a wealth of information and support available below. Anything you can’t find please make your way to our Help Portal. and use our FAQs to search for and answer to your query.

University Partners

The RFU has a close partnership with … universities across the country, all of which deliver a broad rugby programme for students, from representative competition in BUCS to more local opportunities. With a focus on GROWTH, SUSTAINABILITY and TRANSITION of students into and out of their universities.

Current university partners are:  University of Gloucestershire, University of West England, Birmingham City University, University of Birmingham, Wolverhampton University, Coventry University, University of Warwick, Keele University, University of Staffordshire, Hartpury University, University of Bath, University of Brighton, University of Bristol, Essex University, University of Exeter, Brunel University London, Royal Holloway University of London, Surrey University., Imperial College London, University of West London.

University Playing Offer

British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) provides regular competitive rugby opportunities for all students with leagues, knockout competitions and rugby sevens events. With over 65 leagues across the UK, there is a league suitable for all abilities and experience levels. Please check with your university to find out more information about their BUCS teams.
BUCS also run National Leagues for both male and female players (BUCS Super Rugby and Women’s National League), providing the chance for players to play rugby at a high level and develop as a player as well as gaining a degree. For more information please visit the BUCS website.
View the latest BUCS Super Rugby fixtures, results and league table.

Rugby Union is a game for all and we’d encourage universities to offer as wide a programme of rugby, including non-contact (The Touch Union), Reduced Contact (X Rugby) and full contact. To find out more on each of these formats please click on the links below:

The Touch Union: PDF, Videos and Training
X Rugby: PDF, Videos and Training 
Full Contact

Students’ Rugby Football Union

The Students’ RFU (SRFU) is a national constitute body of the RFU representing higher education. We are Independent Limited Company with Charitable Status which is run by volunteers. There are over 100 universities with student rugby clubs that make up the membership of the SRFU and are in turn full voting members of the Rugby Football Union. For more information on how the SRFU can help you at your university, including the SRFU Grants Scheme, follow the below links and get in touch.

Website

Twitter

Training Opportunities

RUGBY SAFE

Player safety and welfare is vitally important for everyone involved with rugby union. Rugby Safe is the RFU’s overarching player safety and welfare programme, putting player welfare at the heart of the game. Visit Rugby Safe to find out more.

GMS

To help us keep you up to date and to best help support you we ask that schools and teachers register on our Game Management System. You can find more information on our YouTube webinar and on the https://help.rfu.com page.

UNIVERSITY & RUGBY CLUB LINKS

A club link is an agreement between a university and a local club to work together to develop the very best sport opportunities for young people. Our club link guide provides practical advice on developing a link and working together in the best interests of the player. With nearly all BUCS matches taking place on a Wednesday, local rugby clubs are a great way to continue playing rugby, on a Saturday, when you go to university. Many student-friendly clubs offer a student discount to make rugby as accessible as possible for all. Local clubs are also the perfect way to meet and network with other adults who may be able to assist in your professional development and help with job prospects after you’ve graduated. To find the nearest club to your university, please visit the RFU Club Finder.

STUDENT PASS

As part of the RFU's strategy to encourage increasing numbers of people to continue to play rugby, the Community Game Board (CGB) agreed to initially introduce the RFU Student Pass.

Both of these provide players with an increased choice and access to regular playing opportunities. This additional flexibility in player movement is governed by the RFU Regulations as well as World Rugby Regulation 4.5.8.
The Student Pass enables verified students to be simultaneously registered with two RFU clubs who compete in the RFU Leagues, or with one club in the RFU Leagues and with another club in another Union; subject to compliance with the RFU Student Pass application process in all respects.

Student Pass - Application Process

For Women representing a club at levels 2-6 and for Men at levels 5 and below, you can apply via email to your RFU Registrar, using the following form and the relevant guide above: Student & Services Pass - Dual Registration Form

For Men representing a club at Levels 3-4, you can apply for a Student or Services Pass Dual Registration, by submitting the application form below via DocuSign.
Student & Services Pass DocuSign User Guide
Apply for Student or Services Pass via DocuSign

UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP OFFICERS

Our University Partnership Officers advise and provide support that enables universities to grow and sustain their rugby programmes. Please see their contact details below.

Jonny Stephenson – jonnystephenson@rfu.com

Richard Marelli – richardmarelli@rfu.com

Please visit our map to find out who your University Partnership Officer is.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Coaching and Refereeing Courses
Link to RFU Regulation 15