Sandy Park prepares to host sold-out EURFC varsity game

Sandy Park will welcome a 5,000-strong crowd through the gates tomorrow evening as the University of Exeter host Durham University in this season’s Super BUCS varsity.

‘The Clash of the Titans’, as it’s known, pits EURFC up against DURFC in front of a sold-out, rowdy university crowd at the home of Exeter Chiefs.

After two rounds of the 2026/27 season, EURFC sit second in the table on 10 points with only points difference separating them from the University of Bath after wins over University of Nottingham and Leeds Beckett. Durham sit six places behind in eighth after one loss and a draw.

The full list of Chiefs who have proven their talent in EURFC green and white in past varsities is an illustrious one. Wales international Kane James and Italy’s Ross Vintcent lead the way alongside Louie Gulley, Ben Coen, Joe Bailey, Oscar Beckerleg, Ollie Batson, Nic Allison, Nick Lilley, Finn Worley Brady, Zack Wimbush and summer signing Jake Murray.

Gulley said: “The atmosphere at varsities is like no other. To play in front of a big crowd and the ultras is class, it’s a little bit like a big football game. The whole build-up to it and playing at Sandy Park, it’s second to none! It’s the biggest day in the uni calendar.”

The last time these two teams met in a varsity match was in October 2023, with EURFC the victors 24-15. That day, Chiefs winger Paul Brown-Bampoe was in Durham purple. However, it was his performance in the game which initially caught the eye of Chiefs coaches and a couple of months later, he was handed his first professional contract.

Brown-Bampoe said: “This game really changed my life. It gave me a chance to break through and earn an opportunity here at Chiefs. That’s what this game is – a prime chance for lads to put their hands up to potentially earn PREM club contracts.”

This year’s varsity will be livestreamed on ClubberTV, which you can access here.