Date set for world's oldest Varsity match

The world’s oldest varsity match will once again take centre stage on the international pitch at BT Murrayfield this coming season.

Last season, two of the cradles of the game in Scotland, the Universities of Edinburgh and St Andrews, took part in the flagship contest at BT Murrayfield for the first time and attracted a crowd of almost 10,000.

It was the second biggest crowd to an outdoor sporting event in Scotland that weekend, with only Celtic v Hearts in Scottish Premiership football attracting a bigger audience.

Today we are pleased to confirm that men’s and women’s matches will again be hosted at BT Murrayfield on Saturday 24 September.

Scottish Rugby Union Chief Operating Officer Dominic McKay said: “In the recent past, the universities staged their game in London, primarily as a means of connecting to their alumni there.

“But the move back home to Scotland last season was a resounding success and BT Murrayfield provided a fitting venue to showcase all that’s good about student rugby in Scotland.”

St Andrews won the men’s match last season, 27-26, courtesy of a dramatic touchline conversion in the final act of the game, while Edinburgh triumphed in the women’s game, 36-7.

David Ross, St Andrews’ Director of Rugby, who piloted their third successive victory in the men’s match last season, said today: “There was a real sense of occasion about last season’s Varsity match. To be able to play on the international pitch at BT Murrayfield meant a huge amount to players and supporters and we can’t wait to defend the trophy in September.

“We are also determined to build on the crowd that watched the game last season. The varsity match is attractive and exciting and we look forward to engaging with both universities and the wider community to attract supporters along.”

Edinburgh University head coach – men’s rugby, David Adamson, noted: “The match against St Andrews is the world’s oldest varsity match and the rivalry is intense.

“A last-gasp defeat is always difficult to reconcile, all the more so given the rich history surrounding this fixture, but what we recognised was it was a great spectacle and advert for student rugby.

“I firmly believe this year’s match will live up to that billing and again highlight some special talent. You cannot over-emphasise what it means to play on the international pitch at BT Murrayfield and we are grateful to Scottish Rugby for once again hosting the match.”

Claire Cruikshank, Head Coach of Edinburgh University Ladies, said: “We're delighted that the Royal Bank of Scotland Women's Rugby Varsity match is again being played at BT Murrayfield. For the players of both universities to play in front of 10,000 spectators last year was a fantastic opportunity and we hope that more spectators come along in 2016 to support the women's match.”