The Welsh Varsity Match - A brief history...
Each year Swansea University and Cardiff University clash in the Welsh Varsity Match. The inaugural match was played in 1997 at the Cardiff Arms Park, the home of Cardiff RFC. In its early years of the Varsity, the match was held alternately between St Helen's Rugby Ground and the Cardiff Arms Park, until 2003, where the match was moved to the neutral venue Brewery Field, the home of Bridgend RFC. The match was then held at the home of Cardiff RFC for 3 seasons between 2007 and 2009. After outgrowing the Arms Park, the match was moved to Swansea's Liberty Stadium.
Swansea have dominated the event, winning 10 out of the 15 previous matches, drawing only once in 2001. The Rugby Club can boast to have had some of Wales' most talented young players donning the Green and White of Swansea, ranging from the British & Irish Lion Alun-Wyn Jones who helped Swansea gain victory in the 2005, to Welsh International Jonathan Spratt helping Swansea to victory in the 2007 match as well as Professional players such as the Ospreys' Ben Lewis, the Scarlets' Rhys Lawrence and Wales 7's player David Evans.
The Varsity match has become the highlight to the University sporting calender year, with the match regularly attracting over 10,000 supporters, that include students, university staff, parents and officials. Due to its popularity among Students and rugby fan's alike, this years Varsity, the 15th annual match, took place at the home of Welsh Rugby, the Millennium Stadium. The 2011 Match was also broadcasted live on S4C, while also featuring on BBC Wales' Scrum V programme.
After the success of the 2011 event, it was announced that the Varsity Match will once again be held in the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday the 2nd of May, 2012.
Swansea have dominated the event, winning 10 out of the 15 previous matches, drawing only once in 2001. The Rugby Club can boast to have had some of Wales' most talented young players donning the Green and White of Swansea, ranging from the British & Irish Lion Alun-Wyn Jones who helped Swansea gain victory in the 2005, to Welsh International Jonathan Spratt helping Swansea to victory in the 2007 match as well as Professional players such as the Ospreys' Ben Lewis, the Scarlets' Rhys Lawrence and Wales 7's player David Evans.
The Varsity match has become the highlight to the University sporting calender year, with the match regularly attracting over 10,000 supporters, that include students, university staff, parents and officials. Due to its popularity among Students and rugby fan's alike, this years Varsity, the 15th annual match, took place at the home of Welsh Rugby, the Millennium Stadium. The 2011 Match was also broadcasted live on S4C, while also featuring on BBC Wales' Scrum V programme.
After the success of the 2011 event, it was announced that the Varsity Match will once again be held in the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday the 2nd of May, 2012.
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