Rugby

Saints Rugby caters for members of all levels; from beginners new to the game through to scholars within the University performance rugby programme.

Performance Scottish Varsity Match

University of St Andrews Rugby Club

Founded in 1858, the University of St Andrews Rugby Football Club is one of the oldest sports clubs at the University and is the sixth oldest rugby club in the world.

The club is a founder member of the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) and has been an integral part of the University for 160 years.

In 1871 in the first international between Scotland and England at Raeburn Place, three St Andrews students, A Clunies-Ross, R Munro and J S Thomson represented Scotland, showing the importance of the club at that time.

The club has gone on to produce over 25 international rugby players who between them have gained 150 international caps, including four British & Irish Lions and eight players who have represented the Barbarians.

“If ‘carrying’ was initiated at Rugby, ‘passing’, the great feature of the back game, came from St Andrews.”
Christopher Nicolson Johnston

Saints Rugby caters for members of all levels; from beginners new to the game through to scholars within the University performance rugby programme.

The club currently supports 4 competitive men’s squads, 2 competitive and development squads within the women’s programme and a touch rugby section.

Performance rugby

Men’s rugby is one of a small number of targeted performance teams at St Andrews. The performance rugby programme provides a comprehensive programme of training, competition and support to enable our top student players to harness their full potential and achieve sporting and academic excellence whilst studying at St Andrews.

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The University 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.

The club trains up to five times per week focusing on skill development and team preparation, and for the top squads these sessions are supplemented by sport specific Strength and Conditioning sessions.

Pre-season training
Pre-season camp takes place annually in late August to prepare our student athletes and teams for the upcoming year of rugby.

The training camp is noted by our first year students as one of the best things about coming to St Andrews in their first year due to the ability to instantly meet new friends and team mates.

Coaching
Led by a full time Director of Rugby, our coaching team come to St Andrews with a wealth of experience gained at the top of their field and understand the balance between academic and athletic achievement. The club has access to a full time physiotherapist, who is based on-site at Saints Sport, and a dedicated video analyst. Our two Strength & Conditioning coaches round off a comprehensive off-field support structure for our players.
British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) championships

Saints Rugby currently supports 4 competitive men’s squads and 1 competitive squad within the women’s programme.

All teams 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.

Additional fixtures include the annual Scottish Varsity Match against the University of Edinburgh, pre-season friendlies, development tournaments and opportunities to play on the 7s circuit.

2024-25 Fixtures and Results
- Women’s 1st Team: BUCS Scottish Tier 1
- Women’s 2nd Team: BUCS Scottish Tier 2
Founded in 2018, Mixed Touch is a sociable and inclusive section of the Rugby Club, offering weekly sessions catering for both competitive and recreational players of all standards and abilities.

Taster sessions are offered at the start of each semester for those new to the sport that focus on drills and games to provide a basic understanding of touch rugby.

Competition
Each year the club looks to enter the Scottish University Touch Tournament hosted by the Scottish Touch Association, with additional opportunities to compete in the Northern England University Touch Series or friendly matches against neighbouring Scottish university teams.
Players within the rugby programme have access to world-class facilities at St Andrews which enhances our ability to offer a professional environment allowing players to maximise their potential.

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.

Grass 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.
Whether you are new to the sport or an experienced rugby player, already attend the University or if you are thinking about attending, please get in touch to register your interest and find out more about our club.

Sports Fayre

The University hosts a Sports Fayre at the beginning of each academic year during Orientation Week, giving prospective players the opportunity to learn about the club and sign up to ‘Give It A Go’ sessions. Members of our committee will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Give It A Go

The Rugby Club will be hosting a number of Give It A Go taster sessions throughout Orientation Week, with all students benefiting from free access to the sports facilities until the end of Week 2.

Please email the club to register your interest: [email protected]

Club Membership

All matriculated students at the University can join the Rugby Club.

Please visit the Saints Sport website for a full list of club membership options, prices and information on how to purchase your membership.

Director of Rugby

David Morris

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2190

David Morris joined the University from Uppingham School in September 2022 with more than 25 years of experience and a proven track record as a leading rugby coach across a range of ages and environments, having been a Director of Rugby at school, university, community and professional club level.

David brings a wealth of knowledge of university rugby to his position at St Andrews, having spent 11 years as Head Coach and Director of Rugby at Loughborough University. During this period, he guided Loughborough Students to a British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) Championship title, victory over England U20s and, following three promotions, to become an established side in the rugby National League 1, becoming the leading university team in the Rugby Football Union pyramid.

David has coached players who have gone on to become senior internationals and Olympians and gained international representative coaching experience as Head Coach of Great Britain Student Sevens and Forwards Coach of England Universities.

David left Loughborough to take on the role of Director of Rugby at championship club London Scottish (the Lions). Over a two-year tenure, he brought in new coaches and a new training programme to the professional squad and oversaw a significant evolution of the Lions, a growth in mini, colts and girls’ rugby and the community programme. A highlight of his time at the club was coaching the Sevens Team to victory at the Melrose Sevens, the first time London Scottish had lifted the Ladies Cup since 1965.

Coaching team

Callum Parsons

Coach

Allan Gartshore

Strength and Conditioning Coach

St Andrews Rugby 7s Tournament

Since its inception in 1970, the St Andrews Seven-a-side Rugby Tournament has grown to become one of the top 7s tournaments in the Scottish rugby calendar and the largest student run 7s in the UK.

Injury strapping

Physiotherapist Alejandro Gimenez Acevedo, shows you how to tape the most common injuries in rugby prior to matches. Tape is free from the club please speak to Dave.

Join Saints Rugby

All matriculated students at the University can join the Rugby Club

Buy your membership now

Support the Rugby Club

The 1858 Club was formed to support the development of rugby at St Andrews and offers a way for former players, friends, and family to stay connected and help sustain the Club’s long and distinguished history. By supporting Saints Rugby you will be helping the club provide extra equipment, playing kit, clothing, additional training and transport provision, match officials or extra coaching, that will add greater value, more opportunities and a better experience for our students.

Make a donation

Rugby

University of St Andrews Rugby Club

Buy your membership

Contact us

Find out more

British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) championships

Sports Fayre

Give It A Go

Club Membership