Rec set to host big varsity clash
Two of the country’s top sporting universities lock horns again on the rugby pitch in the seventh University of Bath v Loughborough varsity fixture on Wednesday 20th April.
The clash of the titans takes place at Bath Rugby’s famous Recreation Ground and promises an exciting night of action.
The University of Bath men’s team are being sponsored by IPL for this year’s encounter.
The action kick-offs with a University of Bath v Loughborough women’s contest at 5pm. That will be followed by the men’s match, which gets underway at 6.30pm.
Rhys Davies, a final year Politics with Economics student who captains the University of Bath men’s team, said: “I think we’ve got a good chance this year. We’re solid all round, we’ve got a good mobile pack and a good back line.
“They’re always pretty strong, but I think we’re capable of winning this time,” added the second row. “It’s always special to play at the Rec. The crowd is always good and vocal at varsity games.”
Joe Ellyatt, a second year Coach Education and Sports Development student, has already been named as team captain for next year and played in last year’s varsity game at Loughborough. The University of Bath were 25-0 up at half time but agonisingly went down 26-25.
“There were about 4000 Loughborough fans cheering them on and we were the underdogs with very little support,” said the back row.
“The crowd had a huge effect on the game last year and we’ll be looking for the crowd at the Rec to do the same for us this year,” he added.
Rhys and Joe are two of up to 15 players with experience playing for Bath United who could feature in the University of Bath squad.
Loughborough are likely to bring another strong squad to the Rec – they are currently pushing for promotion from National League Two North.
Jess Watling, a member of the University of Bath women’s team and secretary of the University of Bath RFC, is looking forward to both making her varsity match debut and playing her first game at the Rec.
The third year Pharmacology student said: “We’ve got a very strong team this year and we’ve had a successful season, so hopefully we’ll give them a good fight,
“The varsity games are the only time we play at the Rec, so it’s a really big day for the girls. Hopefully it will be a good game and we’ll win at home again.”
Fans are being asked to make a suggested donation of £2 for admission to the game, with some of the proceeds going to St John’s Ambulance.
Fixtures
Wednesday 20 April at the Recreation Ground
5pm: University of Bath women’s XV v Loughborough University women’s XV
6.30pm: University of Bath men’s XV v Loughborough University men’s XV
For further information please contact the TeamBath press office at Matchtight Ltd on 01225 383518.
