On Wednesday NextGenXV will make its first foray into University Rugby with a men’s and women’s double header Live Stream from Bristol University.
The live stream will head to Coombe Dingle to take on Bristol University Men’s 1st XV’s BUCS Premier South clash against Exeter University 2nd XV, kicking off at 7.30pm, and prior to that, at 5pm, we will be live streaming the BUCS Women’s Premier South Clash between Bristol University Women’s 1st XV and Exeter University Women’s 1st XV.
Both clashes are right at the top end of the table, although in both cases Exeter are likely to still claim top spot in the division.
In the Men’s Premier South table, Exeter 2nd XV are top of the table, three points clear of their 3rd XV and ten clear of Bristol.
That means Bristol’s hopes of promotion to BUCS Super Rugby are dashed for this year, the winner of a play off between the Premier North and Premier South winners faces the bottom side from BUCS Super Rugby in a promotion/relegation play off, but with this being their last game of the league season it is a chance to end a strong campaign on a high against the likely champions.
Indeed when the two sides met in Exeter earlier in the season it was an absolute nail-biter, with Exeter 2nds just winning it, 14-12. Aside from defeats to Bath and Hartpury College, it was the closest that Exeter have come to slipping up this season.
It sets up for a cracker on Wednesday evening and a real chance to show that there is a huge amount that University rugby has to offer beyond BUCS Super Rugby, and that prospective students have options beyond the ten sides in the Super League, whose players pools are huge as a result of the undoubted success of BUCS Super Rugby.
It is also a chance to highlight women’s rugby at University level. Bristol are operating with three women’s sides, two of which will be in action on Wednesday, with the 2nd XV hosting Winchester, and the 1st XV taking on Exeter on the live stream.
Like in the Men’s game, it’s a clash right at the top end of the table. Bristol sit in second place, however Exeter are secure in their place at the top – this is the final game of the league season and they are ten points clear of Wednesday evening’s hosts.
It looks all set to be an absolute blockbuster occasion at Coombe Dingle, with two fantastic top of the table clashes taking place and a huge chance to showcase all that University rugby has to offer.
