University Leagues in Scotland

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University Leagues in Scotland
Sport Rugby union
Founded ?
No. of teams 28 Men's (six divisions), 8 Women's (one division)
Country(ies) Flag of Scotland Scotland
Most recent
champion(s)
?

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 a relatively informal series of Universities Saturday Leagues (USL) to supplement the season. University rugby is separate from the Scottish Hydro Electric League Championship.

The following universities have teams playing elsewhere in Scottish Rugby:

  • Edinburgh University WRFC play in the Premier Division of the SWRU League. They do not participate in the BUSA league, although their 2nd XV does.
  • 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 BUSA Championship
  • 2 of the 16 places in the BUSA Trophy
  • 2 of the 16 places in the BUSA Shield
  • 2 of the 32 places in the BUSA Plate
  • 8 of the 32 places in the BUSA Vase
  • 2 of the 16 places in the BUSA Women's Championship

A Scottish Universities Cup is also held, usually towards the end of the season.

Contents

[edit] BUSA Scottish Conference, 2007-2008

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. However, the system is changing for 2007-2008, although the arrangements have not yet been finalised.

BUSA fixtures are predominantly played on Wednesdays, as this is (traditionally) a university half-day, without afternoon classes.

[edit] Division 1

Details: [1]

The top two teams advance to the BUSA Championship, a UK-wide knock-out tournament. The bottom two teams advance to the BUSA Trophy.

[edit] Division 2

  • Aberdeen University RFC
  • Heriot-Watt University RFC
  • University of St Andrews RFC, 2nd XV
  • University of Strathclyde RFC

Details: [2]

The top two teams advance to the BUSA Shield. The bottom two teams advance to the BUSA Plate.

[edit] Division 3

[edit] Group A

  • Edinburgh University RFC, 2nd XV
  • Glasgow Caledonian University RFC
  • Napier University RFC
  • University of Dundee RFC, 2nd XV
  • University of Glasgow RFC

Details: [3]

 

[edit] Group B

  • Aberdeen University RFC, 2nd XV
  • Aberdeen University RFC RFC, 3rd XV
  • Edinburgh University RFC, 3rd XV
  • Robert Gordon University RFC
  • University of Abertay RFC

Details: [4]

Top two teams in both pools advance to the BUSA Vase.

[edit] Division 4

[edit] Group A

  • Heriot-Watt University RFC, 3rd XV
  • Napier University RFC, 2nd XV
  • University of Dundee RFC, 3rd XV
  • University of Glasgow RFC, 2nd XV
  • University of St Andrews RFC, 3rd XV

Details: [5]

 

[edit] Group B

  • Heriot-Watt University RFC, 2nd XV
  • Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh RFC
  • Scottish Agricultural College RFC
  • University of Stirling RFC, 2nd XV
  • University of Strathclyde RFC, 2nd XV

Details: [6]

Top two teams in both pools advance to the BUSA Vase.

[edit] Universities Saturday Leagues, 2007-2008

Being a relatively informal and ad-hoc creation, there is no established system of promotion and relegation for the USL.

[edit] Division 1

  • Aberdeen University RFC, 2nd XV
  • University of Dundee RFC, 2nd XV
  • University of St Andrews RFC, 2nd XV
  • University of St Andrews RFC, 3rd XV
  • Univirsity of Stirling RFC, 2nd XV

This arrangement will only be in place until Christmas (i.e. the league will be half a season).

Currently, no other divisions are known to exist.

[edit] BUSA Women's Scottish Conference

There is one organised women's university league, containing the following teams:

  • Aberdeen University WRFC
  • Edinburgh University WRFC, 2nd XV
  • Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh WRFC
  • University of Dundee WRFC
  • University of Glasgow WRFC
  • The Saints WRFC (St Andrews University)
  • University of Stirling WRFC
  • University of Strathclyde WRFC

Details: [7]

Top two teams advance to the BUSA Women's Championship.