THE RUGBY

1. History of the Welsh Varsity from the Beginning
   

   The Inaugural Welsh Varsity Match was played in 1997 in the Welsh Capital and home of Cardiff Rugby Football Club, Cardiff Arms Park. The game was played by the two Welsh Premier Universities; Cardiff and Swansea and the highly successful “Varsity” model was adopted with all proceeds from the event going to Oxfam.

   In the early years the Welsh Varsity Match was held alternatively at Cardiff Arms Park and St Helens, the home of Swansea Rugby Club. In 2003 and until 2007 the game was held at the neutral ground of the Brewery field in Bridgend.

2. Welsh Varsity Match Favourites
   

   Historically Swansea University enjoy the tag of perennial favourites at the Welsh Varsity Match winning to date; ten Varsities, losing five times and drawing once.

   Swansea University have regularly enjoyed the ability to select from a vast pool of very talented players such as Welsh nationals Alun Wynn Jones, Ritchie Pugh and Dwayne Peel. 2007 saw Swansea field no less than 11 FIRA Internationals at varying ages resulting in a win at Cardiff Arms Park.

   Cardiff have enjoyed success in recent years with the introduction of a Head of Rugby at Cardiff University; the current Head of Rugby, Martyn Fowler played an integral part in all five of Cardiff University Rugby Clubs Welsh Varsity Match victories winning back to back for the first time in the clubs history in 2008/09 and achieving another win in 2012.

3. Life After the Welsh Varsity
   

   Many Cardiff and Swansea University students have gone on to represent and gain contracts with many semi professional and professional clubs on the back of great performances in the Welsh Varsity Match.

   In 2007 both Universities agreed to award Caps for all students who take the field and play in Varsity. This has added an extra edge to what has already proved to be the most competitive game of the year for both squads.

Welsh Varsity is proudly sponsored by: