University Leagues in Scotland
Encyclopedia
University rugby union
in Scotland is predominantly organised through BUCS, the British Universities Sports Association. Unlike in England and Wales, where a pyramid system of 4 regions and a Premier above exists, the Scottish system is separate. However, Scottish universities do receive places in the end of season knock-out tournaments which decide overall British champions (see individual division entries below). However, due to the small size of the divisions (with clubs playing either 6 or 8 fixtures per season), some Scottish universities organise teams to play in regional or national leagues as part of the general Scottish league system for clubs, the Scottish League Championship. In addition, some universities organise University Saturday Leagues for their 2nd XV (see below), or they organise informal friendly matches.
The following universities have teams playing elsewhere in Scottish Rugby:
Scotland is allocated the current proportion of places in the BUSA end of season knock-out tournaments:
A Scottish Universities Cup is also held, usually towards the end of the season.
BUSA fixtures are predominantly played on Wednesdays, as this is (traditionally) a university half-day, without afternoon classes.
The top two teams advance to the BUSA Championship, a UK-wide knock-out tournament. The bottom two teams advance to the BUSA Trophy.
The top two teams advance to the BUSA Shield. The bottom two teams advance to the BUSA Plate.
Top two teams in both pools advance to the BUSA Vase.
Top two teams in both pools advance to the BUSA Vase.
Details: http://c1593.r93.cf3.rackcdn.com/3__Appendix_2_-_Women_s_Rugby_Union_Leagues_10-11.pdf
Top two team advances to the BUSA Women's Championship.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
in Scotland is predominantly organised through BUCS, the British Universities Sports Association. Unlike in England and Wales, where a pyramid system of 4 regions and a Premier above exists, the Scottish system is separate. However, Scottish universities do receive places in the end of season knock-out tournaments which decide overall British champions (see individual division entries below). However, due to the small size of the divisions (with clubs playing either 6 or 8 fixtures per season), some Scottish universities organise teams to play in regional or national leagues as part of the general Scottish league system for clubs, the Scottish League Championship. In addition, some universities organise University Saturday Leagues for their 2nd XV (see below), or they organise informal friendly matches.
The following universities have teams playing elsewhere in Scottish Rugby:
- Edinburgh University RFCEdinburgh University RFCEdinburgh University Rugby Football Club is a leading rugby union side based in Edinburgh, Scotland which currently plays its fixtures in the top Scottish National League and the British Universities Premiership. It is one of the eight founder members of the Scottish Rugby Union...
play in Division One of the Scottish National Leagues.
- Royal Dick Veterinary College RFC, which is part of the University of EdinburghUniversity of EdinburghThe University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, play in Division Two of the Scottish National League, East. They do not participate in BUSA or USL leagues.
- Aberdeen University RFC, St Andrews University RFC and Stirling University RFCStirling University Rugby Football ClubStirling University Rugby Football Club is a Rugby Union club based at The University of Stirling, Scotland.The club plays at Monument Park near the university's golf centre...
play in Division One of the Scottish National League, CaledoniaCaledonia Regional Leagues (Rugby Union)The Caledonia Regional League structure is one of three Regional Leagues operated by the Scottish Rugby Union , which play at a level below that of the National League structure. Winners of the league may progress to the National League...
.
- Edinburgh University RFCEdinburgh University RFCEdinburgh University Rugby Football Club is a leading rugby union side based in Edinburgh, Scotland which currently plays its fixtures in the top Scottish National League and the British Universities Premiership. It is one of the eight founder members of the Scottish Rugby Union...
, 2nd XV play in the 2nd Division(East) of The Scottish 2nd XV LeagueThe Scottish 2nd XV LeagueThe Scottish Reserve League is the largest of the three organisations operating 2nd XV Leagues in Scotland. Originally all 2nd XV rugby union league matches were played under the auspices of the Scottish 2nd XV League, however in recent years a number of breakaways have occurred - clubs in the...
.
- Edinburgh University RFCEdinburgh University RFCEdinburgh University Rugby Football Club is a leading rugby union side based in Edinburgh, Scotland which currently plays its fixtures in the top Scottish National League and the British Universities Premiership. It is one of the eight founder members of the Scottish Rugby Union...
, 3rd XV play in the 3rd Division (East)of The Scottish 2nd XV LeagueThe Scottish 2nd XV LeagueThe Scottish Reserve League is the largest of the three organisations operating 2nd XV Leagues in Scotland. Originally all 2nd XV rugby union league matches were played under the auspices of the Scottish 2nd XV League, however in recent years a number of breakaways have occurred - clubs in the...
.
- Edinburgh University RFCEdinburgh University RFCEdinburgh University Rugby Football Club is a leading rugby union side based in Edinburgh, Scotland which currently plays its fixtures in the top Scottish National League and the British Universities Premiership. It is one of the eight founder members of the Scottish Rugby Union...
, 4th XV(Freshers) play in SRU development leagues
- Edinburgh University WRFC play in the Premier Division of the SWRU League. They participate in the BUSA Premier North league, whilst their 2nd XV plays in the SUSA League.
- Dundee University WRFC, Glasgow University WRFC and The Saints WRFC (St Andrews University) play in the First Division of the SWRU League.
Scotland is allocated the current proportion of places in the BUSA end of season knock-out tournaments:
- 2 of the 16 places in the BUCS Championship
- 2 of the 16 places in the BUCS Trophy
- 2 of the 16 places in the BUCS Shield
- 2 of the 32 places in the BUCS Plate
- 8 of the 32 places in the BUCS Vase
- 2 of the 16 places in the BUCS Women's Championship
A Scottish Universities Cup is also held, usually towards the end of the season.
BUSA Scottish Conference, 2010-2011
Promotion and relegation has usually been one up, one down, but with play-offs for teams at the top of the groups in Division 3 and Division 4. The teams play in the Scottish conference.BUSA fixtures are predominantly played on Wednesdays, as this is (traditionally) a university half-day, without afternoon classes.
Division 1A
Details: http://c1593.r93.cf3.rackcdn.com/2__Appendix_1_-_Men_s_Rugby_Union_Leagues_10-11.pdf |
The top two teams advance to the BUSA Championship, a UK-wide knock-out tournament. The bottom two teams advance to the BUSA Trophy.
Division 2A
Details: http://c1593.r93.cf3.rackcdn.com/2__Appendix_1_-_Men_s_Rugby_Union_Leagues_10-11.pdf |
The top two teams advance to the BUSA Shield. The bottom two teams advance to the BUSA Plate.
Division 3A
Details: http://c1593.r93.cf3.rackcdn.com/2__Appendix_1_-_Men_s_Rugby_Union_Leagues_10-11.pdf |
Division 4A
Details: http://c1593.r93.cf3.rackcdn.com/2__Appendix_1_-_Men_s_Rugby_Union_Leagues_10-11.pdf |
Top two teams in both pools advance to the BUSA Vase.
Division 5A
Details: http://c1593.r93.cf3.rackcdn.com/2__Appendix_1_-_Men_s_Rugby_Union_Leagues_10-11.pdf |
Top two teams in both pools advance to the BUSA Vase.
BUSA Women's Scottish Conference
There is one organised women's university league, containing the following teams:- Aberdeen
- Dundee
- Edinburgh 2nd XV1
- Glasgow
- Heriot-Watt
- St Andrews
- Stirling
Details: http://c1593.r93.cf3.rackcdn.com/3__Appendix_2_-_Women_s_Rugby_Union_Leagues_10-11.pdf
- 1Edinburgh 1st XV participates in the Premier League North Division.
Top two team advances to the BUSA Women's Championship.