University of Exeter into a Third Successive BUCS Final

EURFC, the University of Exeter’s men’s rugby side, are into a third successive BUCS Super Rugby final.

The game against Loughborough University will take place at the StoneX this Wednesday, April 17 [KO 16:00].

It has been a season of positivity for EURFC with notable highlights of a semi-final win against a tough Bath team, a feature fixture against Durham University at Sandy Park as well as a spirited Monday-night friendly against Chiefs.

The university forms an integral part of the Chiefs’ rugby development pathway with a large number of current first team players having honed their craft within its ranks.

Welsh international Christ Tshiunza is a recent graduate with Italy’s Ross Vintcent and England’s Immanuel Feyi-Waboso both still in the midst of their studies with the university.

“I think the partnership between Chiefs and the university is growing in importance all the time,” Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter said. “It provides the double opportunity of a great education – which enables players to think of their future, giving them work and life experience which, for me, are vastly important – alongside the chance to play in a really good rugby environment.

“There are a lot of good players that are either still in the programme or have come through it and I think that bodes fantastically for the future.

“I think the really important thing for the boys in the university team to do is to embrace the pathway and what it may bring very early. If they embrace the programme, the opportunities that are there and the games then they can use it to show the best of themselves because, when you do, it’s incredible what can happen in your career.”

The partnership is key to the educational and sporting development of talented young rugby prospects, and it is a programme which will take centre stage in another Super BUCS final tomorrow afternoon.

“I’m absolutely thrilled that Exeter’s men’s BUCS rugby team has reached a third successive final,” Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Exeter said. “This is a fantastic achievement, and owes much to our brilliant students, as well as the hard work of university colleagues.

“It is also a testament to the excellent partnership we have with Exeter Chiefs, which is bringing enormous benefits to both our organisations. Our strong link with the Chiefs enables talented rugby stars to flourish in both the men’s and women’s game, and we are both very proud of this partnership and excited by its future.

“I would like to congratulate our men’s team on once again reaching the BUCS final, and I wish you all the best for the match against Loughborough.”

While the students remain at the heart of the journey, the programme has been developed by a committed and experienced group of coaches, medical staff and back-room staff who always strive for improvement.

“This season has shown the strength of the partnership between the university and Exeter Chiefs,” Gareth Elliott, university Director of Rugby, said. “The partnership helps the development of young players, some of whom started their journey with the university and are now forging their way with regular involvement in Chiefs’ Gallagher Premiership and Investec Champions Cup campaigns.

“The university are hugely proud of the players that have represented Chiefs with such promise. A strong BUCS Super Rugby campaign for the university first XV has also included a number of players already involved at Chiefs.

“With the final approaching, it has been great to see the support of coaching staff and players on the touchline at university fixtures in the quarter and semi-finals. There is a great feeling of togetherness and support for the programme which drives performance.

“For a lot of our players, seeing their peers go on to represent the Chiefs and their country is great motivation or them and inspires them to keep striving for individual excellence.”

Everyone at Exeter Chiefs would like to wish the University team the very best of luck in tomorrow’s final clash.