Edinburgh reclaim the Men's Scottish Varsity Trophy

The 2023 Men's Scottish Varsity Match

On Saturday, Edinburgh University Men's Rugby Club (EURFC) reclaimed the Men's Scottish Varsity trophy in front of a crowd of over 2,300 at University Park in St Andrews.

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 Edinburgh Academical FC claiming a longer existence in Scotland. The fixture between the two clubs, dating back more than 160 years, is believed to predate the annual Oxford versus Cambridge Varsity Match.

The match, which was a fantastic spectacle of student sport, was enjoyed by over 800 travelling Edinburgh students, who had benefited from subsidised bus transport to the match.

Despite St Andrews taking an early first half lead, tries from back row Hal Little, scrum half Hugo Flinn and a Luke Armstrong penalty saw Edinburgh go into half time leading 3-15. Two early second half tries saw Edinburgh extend their lead to 3-29 and despite a spirited St Andrews come back the team held on to take victory 29-32 and lift the Men’s Scottish Varsity Trophy.

The Edinburgh victory means each team has lifted the trophy six times since the inaugural Scottish Varsity match in London in 2011.

• Final score: 29 - 32
• Steven Sims Man of the Match: Hugo Flinn (EURFC)

The inaugural Varsity Touch Rugby Event

Earlier in the day, Edinburgh also took victory in the inaugural Mixed Touch match, having survived a similar St Andrews second half comeback.

• Final score: 6 - 5
• Player of the Match: Ethan Prestwood (Edinburgh University Touch Rugby Club)

Related information

• The Scottish Varsity Matches (external link)
• Full match report (external link)
• Edinburgh Performance Rugby Programme (men's)