Teams announced for the Royal Bank of Scotland Scottish Varsity Matches

The matches, which take place on Saturday 22 September, will see the women’s and men’s teams from the University of Edinburgh and University of St Andrews play out an ancient rivalry at BT Murrayfield.

The event, which kicks off at 2.45pm with the women’s match followed by the men’s game at 4.00pm, has seen in excess of 10,000 fans flock to the stands previously and an even larger crowd is expected this year. Edinburgh Men will be looking to retain the title they won last year following a four-year hiatus, whilst St Andrews Ladies will be keen to challenge Edinburgh Ladies who have won all their previous varsity encounters.

A sporting family

As the four teams prepare for their games on Saturday, Zak Redgrave, son of multiple Olympic gold medal winner rower Sir Steve Redgrave, who plays 2^nd Row for University of Edinburgh, tells us how growing up with professional athletes as parents has influenced him.

"It was definitely interesting growing up with professional athletes for parents, as there is always a high standard that is expected from you. My father and I have bonded heavily over my sport over the years. He always came to school matches whenever he could and would always act as a second coach even though he has had very limited exposure to playing rugby."

More than just sport

The match also provides a fantastic platform to promote the women’s games in Scotland. Elis Martin, Edinburgh University Ladies Rugby Hooker and Scotland U19s 7s player, who is competing in her first Varsity match, speaks about the influence rugby can have:

“Rugby brings people together and makes you a stronger, more driven individual. It allows you to meet friends you would never met. Rugby pushes the boundaries of what we can do to support one another as athletes and individuals.”

Leading the way

Both Universities are leading the way in Scottish Rugby by each employing full time members of staff to focus on their Rugby Programmes. The appointment of Scott Lawson, a vastly experienced former Scotland international with 47 caps, as the new Director of Rugby at St Andrews has galvanised both teams and is a true reflection on the standard of university rugby. Scott said:

“The traditions of the past along with the current world class facilities and vision for the future for all sport at St Andrews add to my excitement in leading what is an already successful rugby programme”

St Andrews Director of Sport Stephen Stewart said:

“To have a world renowned international athlete of Scott Lawson’s calibre wanting to be a part of the sport programme at St Andrews is recognition of where the University is now placed within the sports sector.”

Find out more at scottishvarsitymatch.com and the full line-ups on @scottishvarsity on Facebook and Twitter

The Scottish Varsity Matches are sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland, supported by Campus Living Villages, Macron and PlayerLayer and delivered in partnership with Scottish Rugby.