UNIVERSITIES TO PLAY IN GLAMOUR ST ANDREWS NIGHT MATCH
Tuesday, 08 November 2011
A University fixture that pre-dates the famous Varsity match will be one of the highlights of St Andrews night celebrations later this month, with a famous singer/dancer adding a touch of glamour to the occasion. The University of Edinburgh and the University of St Andrews – both founder member clubs of the Scottish Rugby Union – will be taking their ancient rivalry to a new venue.
The teams will meet at London Scottish’s Richmond Athletic Ground on Wednesday 30 November with an 8pm kick-off. Admission will be free and Alesha Dixon of Strictly Come Dancing fame will be among the celebrities in attendance, while former Scotland and British Lions coach, Sir Ian McGeechan, will present the winning team with a specially commissioned trophy.

David Ross, St Andrews’ Director of Rugby said: “This is the oldest varsity rugby fixture in the world. Our historians have told us we pre-date the Oxford v Cambridge match which was first played in 1872.
“We have spoken to London Scottish and they are delighted to host us as this is an opportunity for us both to showcase Scottish university rugby on a wider scale but also to make links to our alumni and give them the chance to support their former universities.”
Both universities boast thousands of former students in the London area and David Adamson, Edinburgh’s rugby development officer, believes that large concentration is worthy of their attention.
He said: “Both universities have a proud history and, in terms of that rivalry, I think our boys want to get one over on St Andrews.
“University rugby in Scotland has perhaps struggled to fulfil its potential but I believe this match is a great opportunity for us to show a wider audience that we’re playing a good standard of open and attractive rugby.”
Adamson is over-seeing an increase in playing numbers at Edinburgh where the first XV squad feature in both the RBS National League Division 1 against other adult Scottish clubs and in the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) Premier B North league against fellow students from the likes of Durham, Northumbria and Nottingham Universities.
The University of St Andrews play in BUCS Scottish 1A and currently sit second in RBS Caledonia Regional League Division 2 Midlands.
London Scottish CEO, Tony Copsey added: “London Scottish is delighted to be hosting the oldest Varsity clash in the world at the Richmond Athletic Ground. We see this match forming a key part of our annual St Andrew’s Day celebrations, and we are also delighted to be able to assist in the development of Scottish University rugby.
“We are eager to see the Scottish Varsity game build a significant presence in London, and hope that the London-based St Andrews and Edinburgh Alumni will support us in this: hence offering free entry in order to attract as much support for the Universities as possible. Simply turn up on the night, or to pre-register for a fast-track pass, head to www.londonscottish.com. We look forward to welcoming as many supporters as possible on the 30th.”

This article was posted on 8-Nov-2011, 17:53 by Hugh Barrow.