Men’s performance rugby programme

St Andrews offers students a world-leading academic education and a professionally run rugby programme as part of the truly unique student experience.

Led by full time Director of Rugby David Morris, our vision is to deliver a world-renowned university rugby programme that provides players with a unique rugby experience and the support to enable them to fulfil their potential and achieve sporting and academic excellence whilst studying at St Andrews.

The University’s appointment of a Director of Rugby was the first of its kind in Scottish university sport and through investment in both sporting infrastructure and highly qualified specialist staff we have developed one of the best supported rugby programmes in the UK.

Scholarships are aimed at talented players who are already competing at a high level and who believe they have the necessary attributes to be part of a performance rugby programme whilst studying for their degree in St Andrews.

With world-class facilities, highly experienced coaches, and a comprehensive support programme, you’ll have access to a professional rugby environment, and play a part in shaping the history and traditions of one of the oldest rugby clubs in the world.

Men’s Performance Squad 2022-2023

Find out more

• Scholarships

  The University is committed to attracting high academic achievers with a talent for rugby to come to study at St Andrews. There is nowhere more special that provides both a world-leading teaching experience combined with a professionally run rugby programme.

  The University’s sport scholarship programme supports exceptional student athletes from around the world to achieve sporting and academic excellence whilst studying at the St Andrews.

  We have developed a range of offers at undergraduate and postgraduate level in order to attract and then support our very best athletic students.

  St Leonard’s Masters Scholarship

  Postgraduate taught one-year Masters applicants
  The St Leonard’s Masters Scholarship is open to national and international applicants for eligible postgraduate (taught) Masters degree programmes and based on academic excellence and/or financial need.

  The scheme aims to allow applicants to draw on their professional and life experiences to demonstrate resilience, resourcefulness, and commitment. Applicants are asked to explicitly articulate their potential using both academic and professional or life experiences. Excellence can be demonstrated in music and theatre or leadership in sports or civic duty as well as in formally assessed academic work.

  Eligibility
  We welcome applications from talented student athletes looking to extend their playing career, whilst continuing their studies.

  Did you know?

  There are no eligibility restrictions on playing sport and representing the University whilst studying for a postgraduate qualification at St Andrews.

  “The opportunities and higher chance of employability that comes after getting a degree here was a huge pull factor personally. Additionally, the sports facilities are absolutely world-class which gives me the opportunity to be able to pursue rugby post studies.”

  Saints Rugby Performance Scholarships

  

  Undergraduate/Postgraduate
  Saints Rugby Performance Scholarships are offered to students who are playing at a high, competitive level and who wish to pursue an elite level of rugby whilst studying in St Andrews.

  Scholarship players will be provided with a comprehensive support package and a wide ranging array of benefits including access to world-class facilities and highly experienced coaches. Players represent the University across Scotland and around the UK.

  Eligibility
  Scholarships are open to male players, and both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The number of scholarships awarded each year will be determined by the quality of the applicants.

  For more information and details on how to apply please visit the Sport Scholarships section of the Saints Sport website.

• Rugby programme

  The University of St Andrews has developed one of the best supported rugby programmes in the UK, which caters for all levels of ability, focuses on an athlete-centred approach, development, hard work and enjoyment.

  We aim to provide the very best support and a comprehensive programme of training and competition to enable our students to harness their full potential and gain the very best rugby experience whilst at St Andrews.

  Players on the performance rugby squad get access to a full support package including:

  • Weekly training programme
  • Specialist skills coaching
  • Sport specific Strength & Conditioning
  • Sports science support
  • Full time physiotherapy support
  • Pre-season/mid-season training camps
  • Fitness testing
  • Video analysis
  • Team and individual feedback
  • Mentoring
  • Leadership programme
  • Personal development workshops

• Competition

  

  British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) championships

  Saints Rugby currently supports three competitive men’s squads that compete in the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) Championship.

  British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) is the national governing body for higher education sport in the UK.

  Each squad competes on a weekly basis throughout term time in the tiered BUCS league structure and BUCS knockout competitions, contributing to the University’s overall standing in the BUCS points table.

  The Men’s performance squad currently competes in BUCS Premier North and the national cup competition.

  Players on the programme have the opportunity to develop their game out with the university system – members of this year’s squad have competed for Stirling County RFC in the FOSROC Super6 part-time professional league.

  2023-24 Fixtures and Results: BUCS Premier North

• Facilities

  

  Performance Centre

  Following a multi-million pound redevelopment of the Performance Centre, students at St Andrews have access to some of the best sports facilities in Scotland.

  Saints Sport offers a wide range of indoor and outdoor sports facilities, which are available all year round.

  Indoor facilities

  • dedicated performance suite
  • modern, spacious gym
  • exercise studio
  • four-court sports hall
  • new technical climbing wall
  • eight-court arena
  • four-court indoor tennis centre

  Outdoor facilities

  • 13 grass pitches
  • full-size floodlit 3G synthetic pitch
  • sand-dressed synthetic pitch
  • four tennis courts
  • athletics track
  • additional multi-sport grass pitches
  • multi-sport courts

  Pitches
  The grass pitches at University Park are renowned across the country as amongst the finest in Scotland. Our full size World Rugby approved floodlit 3G synthetic pitch provides an additional all-weather training space and a venue for a series of regular evening matches.

  Performance Suite
  Players also make use of the top class Performance Suite – a dedicated Strength and Conditioning gym that provides a private space for the performance squad to train undisturbed. Sessions are run by expert Strength and Conditioning accredited coaches who develop rugby specific programmes for our athletes.

  The high standard of our facilities has been praised by many professionals who have visited St Andrews, including the Scotland Rugby Squad, Ulster Rugby, Gloucester Rugby, Wigan Warriors, Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby.

• Scottish Varsity Match

  The Scottish Varsity Match between Scotland’s two oldest university rugby clubs dates back more than 160 years, and is believed to predate the annual Oxford versus Cambridge Varsity Match.Formed in 1857 and 1858, respectively, Edinburgh University RFC and the University of St Andrews RFC are two of the oldest rugby clubs in the world, with only the Edinburgh Academical FC claiming a longer existence in Scotland.