Loughborough Students RUFC is the rugby club that represents the University in Rugby Union competitions. Of all the British Universities Loughborough has had unparalleled success, having won the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) championship, including its former guises as BUSA (British Universities Sporting Association) and UAU ((Universities Athletics Union) on 27 occasions.
The history of the club pre-dates the formation of the University as it was the students of Loughborough College who formed the original side in 1919. Since that date the club has fielded over seventy international; players, both male and female, many of whom won caps whilst playing for the club.
The present Loughborough University RUFC was formed in 1976 and when RFU leagues were first formed they were offered a place in National Division Two, which they turned down. When they did apply to join the league system in 1996 they had to start at the bottom of the system, as any other new club would have had to and they were placed in Midlands Division Four East (North).
After a period of acclimatisation in having to play against sides which had players of more experience and a ‘men against boys’ situation, they grew stronger and in season 2001-02 they became champions of their division, and won the promotion play-off in 2002-03 from Midlands Division Three East (North). They won the championship of Midlands Two East in season 2006-07 and also Midlands One the following season. They also defeated an England Under-20s side in the same season. They had now gained promotion to National Two North, where they finished sixth in their first season at the higher level.
Later on they had to re-locate for geographical reasons to National Two South from which they were promoted to National Division One as champions at the end of season 2011-12. They remained at that level until season 2018-19 when they finished bottom of the table and were relegated into National Two North. So far this season the Students have won three of their six league games having beaten Hinckley at home and Sheffield Tigers and Luctonians on the road. They have lost to Stourbridge and Chester on the road and to Caldy at home.
Away from league rugby the Students have an excellent record in other competitions. They have won the Leicestershire Cup on seven occasions, the Melrose 7s twice, the Glengarth 7s twice, the Gala 7s once and the Middlesex 7s on five occasions.
Hull RUFC and the Students have clashed on six occasions in our previous spell in National Two North and so far we have lost every one of them as follows;
2009-10
Hull 11-28 Students, Students 41-17 Hull
2010-11
Students 48-14 Hull, Hull 23-29 Students
2011-12
Students 35-14 Hull, Hull 3-20 Students (Students promotion season)
All at Hull RUFC send their congratulations to Loughborough University RUFC in their centenary season, in the fervent hope that we can halt our losing streak against their club on Saturday.
Norman Angell
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 