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.
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.
Details of our Partners can be found on the map below and information for the 24/25 season will be available from September 2024.
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 Men’s Super Rugby and Women’s Super Rugby), providing the chance for players to play and develop at a high level 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 (T1 Rugby), Reduced Contact (X Rugby) and full contact. To find out more on each of these formats please click on the links below:
- T1 Rugby – Our non-contact offer: Delivery and support
- XRugby – our modified contact: PDF Guide, Support Videos and eLearning
- Full contact 7-a-side or the traditional XV-a- side formats:15-a-side
The Students’ RFU (SRFU) is a national constitute body of the RFU representing higher education. They are an 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.
| Rugby being delivered | Courses/eLearning |
|---|---|
| T1 rugby |
England Rugby Tag course This face to face course will cover activities and laws suitable for staff. The course supports the development of active-purposeful, enjoyable and safe non contact rugby environments. |
| XRugby |
Headcase This non-assessed course is designed for those teaching players starting out in contact and non-contact rugby. It will help deliverers progress from non-contact to contact safely, building confidence and competence to teach and referee the contact areas of the game.
It is recommended that everyone teaching, coaching or refereeing contact rugby in a university setting has attended with course.
XRugby – eLearning |
| Full contact rugby | Headcase England Rugby Coaching Award course. This face to face course includes XRugby content. All Staff delivering contact rugby should have completed both the Headcase concussion module and ERCA or equivalent. |
| Refereeing full contact rugby | Headcase Click here for free E-Learning England Rugby Refereeing Award |
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.
Find out more about Rugby Safe.
To help us keep you up to date and to best help support you we ask that All student rugby union players register for a Game Management System (GMS) account and link it with their university.
You can find more information on the GMS here: https://help.rfu.com page or in the videos below:
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.
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
Our University Partnership Officer advises and provides support that enables universities to grow and sustain their rugby programmes. Please see contact details below.
Jonny Stephenson – jonnystephenson@rfu.com
