Chasing The Rose: England Rugby Students Set New Standards in Higher Education Sport
The England Rugby Students Team epitomizes the apex of rugby within Higher Education, offering a distinctive avenue for players to excel both on the field and in their academic pursuits. As a collective drawn from universities across England, their primary objective is clear: to provide a pathway for high-performance rugby alongside the pursuit of higher education degrees.
Their mission extends beyond mere competition; it’s about enhancing the rugby experience for students while acknowledging the calibre of talent present within university rugby. The England Students Team serves as an alternative route for players in higher education and those who may have developed later in their rugby careers, granting them a stage to showcase their abilities and pursue their passion for the sport.
Past players who have proudly represented the England Students jersey have gone on to achieve full England honours, underscoring the pedigree of talent fostered within this system. Notable figures such as Lawrence Dallaglio, Will Greenwood, and Tom Dunn have left an indelible mark on both the England Students Team and the wider rugby landscape, inspiring current players to strive for greatness.
FYB spoke with former England Students & now England international, Tom Dunn about his experience with the University of Bath and playing for England Students.
“I really enjoyed my time at University of Bath, it was a great boost for me and gave me a great opportunity to play and learn. I always set out to become a Prop, but playing University rugby gave me a couple of years to learn to become a hooker.”
“Playing for England Students was a great experience, there was more exposure, and it gave me the opportunity to play in front of people. We had a great team with 10-12 guys who went on to play professional rugby, including Josh Beaumont, Simon Hammersley and Harry Williams, with quite a few still playing at the top level.”
Tom shares his advice to anyone who is thinking of wanting to play their rugby at university, “Decide early whether you can really dedicate yourself to both your rugby and your studies. Opportunities like playing at this level don’t come around often. If you really want to use this as a platform for a future career in rugby, playing at university isn’t something you can dip in and out off. Try and put as many eggs in one basket as possible and give it your all.”
In their quest for excellence, the England Students Team aims to clinch their third consecutive victory in the annual fixture that marks the culmination of the university rugby season. Their previous encounter with France Universities saw a gripping 25-21 triumph on French soil, a testament to the resilience and skill of the squad.
This year’s cohort, comprising players from ten different universities, represents a pool of the most promising young talent in university rugby. With an estimated 12,000 students actively engaged in rugby across BUCS leagues and other programs, the competition is fierce, and the standard of play is exceptionally high.
England Students Head Coach, Darren Fearn told us “This is a really exciting fixture against the French, we have had a constructive week in camp so far and this group is very talented and I am excited to see them perform on Saturday night. Players like Jay Ecclesfield are serious operators and this is a great showcase for them to perform.”
“The BUCS system pushes players to the best they can, they get competitive games with some really good players, they all recieve fantastic coaching and the opportunity to train for a dual career and get them ready for lives without rugby.”
Louis Kirkham, who currently studies at Leeds Beckett Univerity is one of the squad hoping to play apart in the team on Saturday, “England v France is one of those historical fixtures that you can’t wait to be involved in. This will be the first time I get to pull on an England shirt which is very exciting.”
“I have been in camps before, but never played in the games, so am hoping to get the opportunity to express myself. The week in camp has been good, it has been great getting to know the boys on and off the pitch. We have had some great training sessions both on the pitch and in the gym.”
The dominance of teams like the University of Exeter in BUCS Super Rugby underscores the depth of talent within university rugby. Exeter’s stellar season, boasting 16 wins out of 18 matches and an impressive tally of 107 league tries, highlights the quality of players within their ranks. With five members of the current England Students squad originating from Exeter, their impact on the team is palpable.
However, it was Loughborough who emerged triumphant in the National Championship Final, edging out Exeter in a nail-biting encounter to claim the title with a 35-31 victory. With four members of the England Students squad representing Loughborough, their contribution to the team’s triumph cannot be overstated.
Louis spoke about his time with Leeds Beckett University, “I was in a professional enviroment before making the move to university, you get more freedom within the unversity setup. You get top quality regular games as well as top coaches and top facilites.”
“If you are able to juggle rugby and your studies, then this is a great opportunity.”
As the England Rugby Students Team prepares to script the next chapter in their illustrious journey, they do so as ambassadors for the values of teamwork, dedication, and excellence—both on and off the pitch. With their sights firmly set on sustained success, they embody the essence of rugby within Higher Education and inspire future generations to follow suit.
You can watch England Students take on France Students, taking place at Coventry RFC on Saturday 4th May. Tickets are available by clicking here, or if you can’t make it to the game, tune in to the live stream on YouTube by clicking here.
Photo Credit – THREE2
