12 months ago, if you were to say to Martin Webdale that Loughborough would start the 2023-24 season as defending champions, he would’ve bit your hand off. Well, that’s exactly what the African Violet are, but they begin their title defence away to Nottingham, who famously beat them 20-17 at Lady Bay back in January.
Exeter are one of the nine teams chasing down the mighty Loughborough. A mighty juggernaut themselves, Exeter will be looking to end a three consecutive seasons of second place finishes and chase that illusive league and championship double. The consistent performers in BUCS Super Rugby start their new campaign at home to Hartpury and away to Nottingham, before a rematch of the greatest game many have witnessed, the final.
The 2019-20 and 2021-22 league champions Durham and last season’s most improved team Bath face off in what promises to be an epic first round encounter. The west country semi finalists then travel back to Loughborough to right their wrongs from earlier this year. Over in the North of England, our third placed team from the last campaign visit Leeds Beckett in round two.
The all-Welsh fixtures bring a little extra spice, a mini league within the league if you will. Cardiff, Cardiff Met and Swansea battle each year for the opportunity to name themselves the best university team in Wales. Coming off the back of a historic semi final reaching season, Cardiff University open up against Yorkshire’s team Leeds Beckett. The Archers and the Swans kick off with a meeting at the iconic St Helen’s ahead of the first highly anticipated Cardiff Clash at Cardiff Arms Park in round two. The reverse fixture takes place in the final round before the Winter break.
A fabled rugby programme, a team on the rise and a former powerhouse looking for greener pastures. Hartpury, Nottingham and Leeds Beckett are all intriguing prospects to the avid viewer, and the opening results against one another could prove vital to each of their seasons. Hartpury and Leeds Beckett are the first to meet in round four before the Yorkshire men travel to Green and Gold just two weeks later. We have to wait until late November to see the East Midlands outfit take on the 3x BSR championship winners, but we’re sure it will be worth the wait.
In just 68 days the new season begins. The best league in the land returns with more eyes on this impeccable competition than ever before. Predictions are nigh on impossible, so sit back and enjoy some of the most entertaining rugby available.
The full list of fixtures for the upcoming season can be found on BUCS Play.
