EURFC Sandy Park Clash - Matchday Programme - 26 October 2022

Good evening and welcome to Sandy Park for what are sure to be two fantastic games of rugby this afternoon.

Sandy Park is always a special place to play and we’re delighted to welcome Durham and Cardiff to Exeter today for what are sure to be two high octane matches.

It would be remiss of me to not mention the tireless effort and hours of work that go into putting on an event like this. Our thanks go to Tony Rowe OBE and all at Exeter Chiefs for making this event possible. I would also like to take this chance to thank Alison Davison, Charlotte Raymont & the AU team for supporting us in hosting this event.

The team behind the scenes at EURFC are another crucial part of what we do here and this club, both across the men’s and women’s programmes. EURFC would simply not function without their dedication and effort. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for everything they do. I know that the players are incredibly appreciative of everything that they all do as well.

I think back to last time we were here,

DIRECTORS WELCOME

with 4000 students packed into Sandy Park cheering on the side against Loughborough and how much that roar spurred on the players on the pitch.

We’ve run these Sandy Park events for a long time, but the noise around the stadium back in February is something none of us will ever forget.

This season has been an interesting one to say the least. After two disappointing matches to start the season for the men’s team, we have been delighted with how they have responded in the last few weeks.

For the women’s team as well, it’s been a hugely encouraging start to life back in the BUCS National League. A bonus point away at Cardiff Met was followed by a fantastic victory away against Loughborough, setting the side up well for a first hit out at home today against Durham.

For the players on the field, this is their event. We can’t wait for kick off.

Keith Fleming Director of Rugby

AUPRESIDENT’S WELCOME

Avery warm welcome to Sandy Park, home of the Exeter Chiefs who are hosting us this evening. My name is James, your AU President and I’m very excited to welcome you all to another rugby fixture at Sandy Park.

I’m very glad you can be here at another sell out crowd, helping to push our boys over the try line and make it three wins in a row in BUCS Super Rugby!

Coming off the back of winning BUCS Super Rugby National Championship in 2022, the team has been working harder than ever to put on a fantastic performance for you all and continue their success, hopefully resulting in a fantastic night of sport for everyone.

However, this event tonight would not be possible without the hard work from many of our student and staff members here with us. In particular, a huge thank you must go to the student sport team and the EURFC staff and committee members, for their dedication to making the student sport experience at Exeter so enjoyable. The Exeter Chiefs also deserve a notable thank you, both for hosting us this evening and for their continued support to EURFC.

This has undoubtably augmented the development of both individual players and the club as a whole.

Our thanks are also expressed to Tony Rowe OBE, with whom we value our

partnership and his commitment to helping the club grow from strength to strength. Additionally, the continued support of our sponsors, Timepiece, have contributed to the success of these events and we are so appreciative of David Meylan, George Sloan and Rob Skinner for their ongoing support to our Athletic Union.

Thank you to everyone supporting us at Sandy Park this evening and good luck to all players for what promises to be a fantastic game of rugby.

James Coffin

AU President

WOMEN’SCLUB CAPTAINWELCOME

Good evening and welcome to Sandy Park for our first home Women’s National League game against Durham.

EURFC Women had a mammoth season last year securing double promotion, the BUCS National Vase and the AU Team of the Year award. After a challenging but valuable pre season, the club are ready to continue our success into the 22/23 season, where we aim to make our mark in both the Women’s National League and the Women’s Western Tier 1.

With the addition of a Sunday league team, Exeter Athletic, in the NC 2 South West, Women’s Rugby at Exeter is only getting bigger and better!

This fixture is momentous for every club member, from the First XV, to the dedicated supporters. We’re proud to be a part of this sport, which has been growing exponentially with the success of the Allianz Premier 15s and the Red Roses, as well as the increase in participation from women and girls of all ages. Sandy Park is the perfect stage for us, to showcase the standard of women’s rugby at the University and the players are looking forward to running out under the lights in front of a buzzing crowd.

It's an honour to be Club Captain for such an exciting season and I personally, can’t wait to see it all unfold.

This club would not be the same without the efforts from the coaching staff on and

off the pitch, so a massive thank you to Poppy, Ralph, Nick, Steve, Tony and Declan as well as all the staff and committee at EURFC that contribute to our success. We’re also grateful for the support of the AU, especially Charlotte Raymont and James Coffin, who work tirelessly to organise fixtures throughout the whole season.

I hope you have a good evening and enjoy two great games of rugby!

Tierney Sharp Women’s Club Captain

“WearethegirlsofEURFC,prideofthe WestCountry”

MEN’SCLUB CAPTAINWELCOME

Good evening and welcome Sandy Park for our Anglo Welsh fixture against Cardiff University.

It is always the most prestigious event of our rugby calendar playing under the lights at Sandy Park. On behalf of EURFC, I would like to personally thank you all for your support from the stands it is truly appreciated.

Being the reigning BUCS Super Rugby National Champions and replicating the achievements of last season is no mean feat. The squad have been working hard, training on the pitch, in the gym and in the pool to prepare ourselves for the coming season. Being promoted to National 2 West has also given the boys an added level of excitement, with more opportunities to play at a high level.

We have had a number of notable wins so far in the season. Beating Loughborough Students in our National 2 clash was particularly special. In BSR, our win against Cardiff Met, away at Cyncoed, was a real statement of our intent for the rest of the season we truly believe we can beat any team, at home or away, no matter what the view is outside of the camp.

It would be remiss of me not to thanks all the members of staff who have been so important in providing the foundations for the success of EURFC. An enormous thank you to Keith, Rich, Poppy, Haydn, Gareth, Les, Shane, Jack, Tony, Charles, Brad, Harry, Alex and Will for all of their

work behind the scenes.

Furthermore, I would like to thank Tony Rowe OBE and all the Sandy Park staff for letting us use these world class facilities and ensuring the smooth running of tonight’s match.

Another huge thank you to Alison Davison, Charlotte Raymont, James Coffin and the rest of the AU team. Without your help, this fixture could not have gone ahead.

A particularly special thank you goes to our sponsors, Patrick McCaig of Otter Brewery as well as George Sloan and the staff at Timepiece for continually supporting the club. I would also like to thank VX3 for providing all of our kit this season.

I am extremely honoured to be the men’s Club Captain this season and it is my pleasure to welcome you to Sandy Park for what promises to be a match of epic proportions.

Matt Cook

Men’s Club Captain

WILLIAMS

THEIRMARK

EURFC Women have certainly made their mark in the last few weeks for Exeter Chiefs.

Sunday’s victory over Harlequins saw three current students in Maisy Allen, Katie Buchanan and Nancy McGillivray all nominated for Player of the Day.

It’s been a feature of the Allianz Cup this season to see vast swathes of current and former club members turning out in Exeter colours, with the likes of Allen and McGillivray leading firmly from the front.

trained alongside the Chiefs squad this season, with the pathway becoming more and more profitable for both the university and the Chiefs.

It is a well trodden path that Head Coach Poppy Leitch knows all about and she is delighted to see so many of her players stepping up into Chiefs colours. “Wetalkaboutpathwaysandprogression alot,butit’ssomethingthatisreallythere foralltoseehereinExeter.Coaching manyoftheplayersattheuniversity,Isee howmuchitmeanstothemweekin, weekout,andtoseethemstartingto transferthoseperformancesoverintoa Chiefsshirtissopleasingtosee.”

Whilst the cup campaign may have drawn to a close for now, the focus will be solely on preparing for the opening round of the Allianz Premier 15s season in just a few weeks time.

Katrina Hayes and Niamh Orchard have also made their Chiefs debuts in this initial cup run, alongside Buchanan, as the relationship between EURFC Women and Exeter Chiefs Women continues to bare fruit.

It is testament to the setup here in Exeter that so many players have come or are coming through the system, with Merryn Doidge continuing to excel at fullback for the Chiefs and former players Clara Nielson, Ebony Jefferies and Poppy Leitch, who now coaches the women’s university side, all playing starring roles in the Chiefs team.

Flo Robinson and Lizzie Hanlon have also become crucial parts of Susie Appleby’s Exeter Chiefs side and, considering some of the form that the young guns have shown in recent weeks, there could be some tough selection calls for Appleby when her World Cup contingent return from New Zealand in a few weeks time.

A number of other university players have

The cup campaign has proven that many of the young guns are already where they need to be, in terms of competing at the highest level. Whether they pull on a Chiefs shirt or a university shirt in the coming weeks, everyone knows that some potential stars of the future, have already taken their first big steps in the game.

NEVERMISS AMOMENT

LEATHERBARROW EAGERTOLEAD FROMTHEFRONT

Leading your side is always special, but for Ollie Leatherbarrow, this evening will take on a whole new context, as he leads the side out at Sandy Park for the first time.

This isn’t the first time that Leatherbarrow has been at Sandy Park, but it will be the first time that he has played here in university colours.

After a record ticketing push from the whole club, the event this evening is sold out, with the captain and Scotland U20s international explaining just how much it means to the players.

“Wefoundouttheothernightthatithad soldout.It’sabithardonsomeofthe boyswhostillhaven’tgottheirticketsyet, butit’sabsolutelyfantasticandexactly whatwewant!There’sgoingtobeloads ofnoiseandabrilliantatmosphere.”

side. Leatherbarrrow insists though, that the occasion and the support will only lift his side come kick off.

“Whenthesegamescomearound,you knowyou’replayinginfrontofthewhole university.Theboyswillalwaysputinthat extraonepercent,eveniftheydon’t realiseit.It’sjustabouttakingthe opportunitiesandenjoyingthenight.”

That support will only carry the side so far though, with Leatherbarrow highlighting that his squad need to put on a performance to match the occasion.

The Scottish backrow though, did admit that this was a date that had been firmly fixed in the minds of the squad since early in pre season.

Leatherbarrow has led from the front so far this season, including last week against Leeds Beckett, where he burst through the middle of the defence to race in from nearly fifty metres.

Tonight though, he wants his side to not let the occasion get the better of them.

“I’vesaidtotheboystokeepitsimple.We areatourbestwhenwekeepitsimple,so ifwedothoselittlethingswell,thenthe restofitcancomeandwecanputthat performancein.”

The pressure will be on in front of a crowd of vocal Exeter students cheering on their

“It’sgoingtobeprettyspecialtoleadthe boysout.It’ssomethingweearmarkedin thecalendaratthestartoftheyear,and it’scomearoundprettyquickly,butit’s oneI’mlookingforwardto.Hopefully, leadingtheboysout,wecanputona specialperformanceforwhatisgoingto beaspecialoccasion.”

Leatherbarrow is one of several players in the squad who train regularly with Exeter Chiefs. Whilst they have played in front of Sandy Park crowds before, there is nothing quite like the roar of the university students come game day.

The challenge for the side will be about keeping their composure, as the pressure continues to build.

BUCSNATIONAL LEAGUETABLE

BUCSSUPER RUGBYTABLE

NIALL ARMSTRONG Scrum Half

ARCHIE ALEXANDER Prop Scrum Half

ELLIS BALDRY Hooker

JOSH BARTON Fly Half

HARVEY BECKERLEG Fly Half

KOFI BARTON BYFIELD Wing MAX BLISS Fullback

TIRION BOWEN Second Row

LUKE BRALSFORD Backrow

SCOTT BUTTERWORTH Hooker

OLI BURROWS Hooker Scrum Half

TOM CAIRNS Scrum Half

WILL BECCONSALL Scrum Half

JOSH CUNNINGHAM Second Row

MAX COURTIS Centre

WILL DE BOEHMLER Backrow

GEORGE DAVIS Wing

LUCAS DORRELL Backrow

MILO HALLAM Second Row

JONNY SEARLE Wing

BEN HAMMERSLEY Fullback

CHRIS FREEMAN Prop HARVEY DUNN Hooker

HARVEY GRAHAM Fly Half

KIAN GENTRY Centre

ROB GORDON Backrow

MATT COOK Second Row

HUGO ELLERBY Fullback

TOM HARRIS Prop

MATTHEW JOHNSTONE Scrum Half

DAN JOHN Centre

BENJY JOSELAND Wing

ED HOLROYD Hooker

SAM HIGGINSON Backrow

ORSON JAMES Scrum Half

HUGO HUGHES Centre

DAFYDD JENKINS Second Row

ARCHIE HILL Centre

CONOR MANZI Second Row

OLLIE LEATHERBARROW Backrow

TODD MUIL Second Row

CHARLIE MCCAIG Centre

JAKE MURRAY Scrum Half

ARTHUR THOMAS Second Row

ARCHIE ROLLS Prop ED THOMAS Fullback

DYLAN POWER Centre ARCHIE OWLETT Prop

CHESTER RIBBONS Centre

GEORGE PREST Wing TOM ROBERTS Wing

RONAN KELLY Backrow

JACK PARK Fly Half

JOSH THORNE

JARED WILLIAMS

CHARLIE TURNER Wing

TRIBE Wing

SAM WALKER

Half

ROSS VINTCENT Backrow

WEBB Hooker

CHRIST TSHIUNZA Second Row

AUPRESIDENT’S

Good evening and welcome to Sandy Park for what are sure to be two fantastic

with 4000 students packed into Sandy Park cheering on the side against Loughborough and how much that roar

OFFICIALTAPESUPPLIER OFEURFC

ANNA BIRKETT Fly Half

GEORGIE BARKER Prop

MADDY BOOCOCK Hooker

HARRIETTE BOND Wing

NAOMI BRENNAN Centre

BRIANNA CUMMINS Centre

ELLA BROADFIELD Backrow

LOTTIE DADDS Fly Half ELLIE CUNNINGHAM Fly Half

TESSA GRAINGER Wing

KATRINA HAYES Second Row

LIZZIE HANLON Prop

PHAE LEVERIDGE Backrow

KATIE JELFS Fullback

KATIE BUCHANAN Fullback

GEORGIA MOLTON Hooker

MEGAN MACCOLL Wing

JODI PALMER Wing NIAMH ORCHARD Backrow

AIMEE RIDLEY Prop

MATILDA TORESATER Scrum Half

HERMIONE TITCOMBE Centre

HANNAH ULCOQ Fly Half

ALESSIA SKEATES PropSecond Row

ANNABEL SWANN Prop

LAUREN SUMMERS Scrum Half

JESS THOMAS Prop

JOJO LOXTON Second Row

GENEVIVEVE SHAW Backrow

TILLIE WESTWOOD Fullback ABBY WOOLLETT Wing

Backrow

NANCY MCGILLIVRAY Centre

FLO ROBINSON Scrum Half

MILLIE WHITEHOUSE Hooker

ANNA WOODMAN Backrow

KEITH FLEMING Director of Rugby

RICH HODGES Head Coach Head of Women’s Rugby

NIC SESTARET Coach HAYDN THOMAS Coach

GARETH ELLIOTT Coach LES BARROW Lead S&C

JACK PERRY S&C Coach

BRAD PERRETT Head Analyst

ADAM DAVIS Physio

SHANE O’HANRAHAN Physio

RALPH RUTHERFORD S&C Coach

LASTTIME OUT

Tries aplenty were the order of the day, as EURFC found their form at home, to comprehensively beat Leeds Beckett.

Nine tries were scored in all, as Exeter were led by Player of the Match Kofi Barton Byfield, with the wing scoring a hattrick to take his tally to five tries for the season.

It was an electric start for EURFC, with Sam Higginson released down the wing by Will de Boehmler, just minutes into the encounter to dot down. Ross Vintcent then doubled the advantage following some quick thinking from Josh Barton, as EURFC hit cruise control.

The pressure was relentless from Exeter and they added a third score of the half thanks to a sharp piece of rugby from scrum half Tom Cairns, who glided past the final defender to crash over from the back of a scrum.

With the first half ticking away, EURFC would secure the bonus point, as Kofi Barton Byfield scored his first of the afternoon. This was a stunning try from the wing, as he was fed the ball in space in the middle of the park, before turning on the afterburners to race in from halfway.

Into the second half and it was business very much resumed as far as Exeter were concerned. Not content with seeing his wing score from a similar play at the end

of the first period, Ollie Leatherbarrow got in on the act, before one of the tries of the season. After a Dan John break and forward roll to keep the momentum going, the ball was worked to Barton Byfield for his second of the afternoon.

Leeds Beckett would finally cross the line after a strong maul, however a misfiring lineout allowed Scott Butterworth to score, before Barton Byfield secured his hattrick and fly half Josh Barton got in on the act.

Exeter University: D. John, B. Joseland, M. Courits, C. Ribbons, K. Barton Byfield, J. Barton, T. Cairns, T. Harris, O. Burrows, H. Dunn, S. Higginson, M. Hallam, W. de Boehmler, R. Vintcent, O. Leatherbarrow

Subs: S. Butterworth, J. Williams, T. Muil, T. Bowen, L. Dorrell, N. Armstrong, W. Becconsall, A. Hill

Tries: Higginson, Vintcent, Cairns, Barton

Byfield (3) Leatherbarrow, Butterworth, Barton

Conversions: Barton (4)

LASTTIME OUT

That first victory of the season is always a special one, and this proved no different for EURFC Women, as they secured a thrilling victory away at Loughborough.

With Exeter being camped inside their own 22 for much of the opening exchanges, eventually, their resistance had to break. It was an excellent individual effort from Amelia Tutt, who broke free from two Exeter tackles to race over.

With penalty advantage on their side though, Exeter hit back. Jess Thomas spotted a gap and took the 5m tap and go quickly. Her famous show and go opened up a small hole in the Loughborough defence, for her to squeeze over the line for the try.

The second half started in a similar manner to the end of the first half, with Exeter being the far more impressive side. Line breaks from Grainger, Palmer, and Brennan and coupled with physical dominance in the contact area, highlighted the strength the green and whites had at this point in the game.

But the hosts would take the lead again as, off the back of a lineout they set a maul up and hit the front, as they drove over from close range.

Going behind once more just seemed to inspire the team even further. The pick and go game was just as strong as it had

been throughout and finally, the visitors got over the line through Niamh Orchard.

Maddy Boocock would then cross to take Exeter seven points clear heading into the final moments, but there was to be one last moment of tension, as Loughborough scored right on full time.

With the conversion needed to seal a draw, Exeter could only watch and pray. Fortunately, the ball sailed to the left of the posts, leaving the side celebrating a superb first win of the season.

Exeter University: A. Wollett, T. Grainger, N. Brennan, H. Titcombe, J. Palmer, L. Dadds, M. Toresater, G. Barker, M. Boocock, J. Thomas, T. Sharp, K. Hayes, P. Leveridge, A. Woodman, N. Orchard

Subs: G. Molton, A. Skeates, J. Loxton, G. Shaw, L. Summers, M. MacColl, K. Jelfs.

Tries: Boocock, Orchard, Thomas

Conversions: Wollett (2)

TORESATER TAKINGITALL INHERSTRIDE

The mindset in camp is that they can beat anyone on their day. For co captain Matilda Toresater and her side, they will be hoping to prove that this afternoon against last year’s league winners Durham.

It’s been a hugely successful opening to the season for the whole club, with the second team winning their opening league match and Exeter Athletic excelling in the weekend leagues. With the club in such a successful place, Toresater admitted that the togetherness of the group and the desire to push each other further was one of the key driving forces within the women’s club.

A senior player in the squad and part of the Swedish 7s team over the summer, Toresater is taking it all in her stride, as she and her side reacclimatise to the BUCS National League.

They showed that they have made the transition quickly as well, with victory away at Loughborough last time out. Toresater was thrilled with the result, especially at one of the toughest away venues in the league.

Despite failing to win either of their two opening fixtures, Durham will present a sizable task this afternoon for EURFC Women, with Toresater admitting that the side are wary of what the Palatinate could produce. She was though, completely adamant that her side have to just focus on themselves, after a hugely positive week of training and an incredibly competitive few weeks of action.

Toresater has led from the front so far this season, alongside co captain Maddy Boocock. In terms of her style as a leader within the squad, the Swede admitted that she wanted the players to follow her example on the field. Namely though, it is her love of the club that is propelling her to new heights.

Toresater’s words are ones that will resonate with many within the university side. It’s a club that is embodied by the togetherness of the players and the desire to strive for excellence in everything that they do.

“It’smassive.Intrainingaswellit’shuge. We’vegotsuchgooddepthandsucha goodgroup,”she explained. “Selectionis alwaystoughandit’ssogoodfortheclub. TheclubisthestrongestI’veeverseenit. Everyoneissteppingupintraining,doing whattheycanandputtingtheirbestfoot forward.”

“Weallbleedgreenandwealllovethis club!Wewanttokeepshowingwhy EURFCWomenissuchanamazingclub tobeapartofandencourageasmany girlsaspossibletogiverugbyago.”

“Itwassuchagoodoneforus. Loughboroughawayisoneofthehardest games,sotogetthatwinwasamazing,”

“Durhamwillalwaysbeachallenge.Last yeartheyshowedwhatthey’remadeof butwe’reconfidentinourselves.Withour performancesintrainingthisweek,Ithink we’reallreallyconfidentofputtingona goodperformance.”

SANDY PARK MEMORIES

I

t’s a special place, Sandy Park. Cast your mind back to February, with 4000 students roaring the side over the line against Loughborough.

Speaking after the match and in the months that followed, those who played in that fixture and the staff who have seen more Sandy Park fixtures than you would believe, were all certain of one thing: It was the biggest and the best it had ever been.

a huge eight man maul that stood out as the moments that mattered.

Your mind is taken back further to Will Yarnell’s lung busting intercept against Loughborough.

Go back further still and you can still here that eerie silence, as EURFC pulled it back from the brink against Leeds Beckett.

And now here we are, back again at this hallowed place to start creating new memories and stories again. Cardiff will be no easy test for the side. Not since Durham in 2019, has EURFC suffered defeat and Sandy Park, but the stakes could not be higher heading into this one.

There’s been a fair share of highlight reel moments throughout the last few years at Sandy Park. Last season, it was the fancy footwork of Exeter’s back three and

Trailing as the clock ticked past eighty, those in attendance were to be treated to something out of the ordinary, as Arthur Relton darted through a gap and scored in the corner after a fifty metre solo break to tie the game. A nerveless touchline conversion from Harry Bazalgette would then secure the victory in front of a euphoric crowd.

These events are special. What are the chances of another iconic moment this evening?

WOMEN’S ROUNDUP

Good things seem to be happening wherever you look as far as women’s rugby is concerned.

From record attendances at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, to young stars showing what they can do in the Allianz Cup, women’s rugby is certainly in a golden period at the moment.

The same is very much true of the Exeter University Women’s programme. With over 100 members this season and a successful pre season behind them, the players have started as the mean to go on, with some impressive performances so far this season, right across the club.

The challenge of backing up a quite superb season last time out is always going to be a tough one, but the club has so far approached that task with aplomb.

The first team have shown no signs of struggle in the BUCS National League, with five points from their first two games, whilst the second team started off their league campaign with a victory last week, after securing promotion last season.

As well as closer ties being put in place with Exeter Chiefs, one of the major changes this season has seen the formation of the Exeter Athletic side, competing in NC South West. It’s a side that have yet to concede a point in their opening three fixtures, with players from the local area and the university all playing on Sunday afternoon’s.

The side is also a crucial way of making sure that as many of the players as possible receive valuable gametime, as well as strengthening links with the local rugby community.

Whether players have aspirations of playing for the university, Exeter Chiefs or Exeter Athletic themselves, this new side has a bright future ahead of it, with the goal of climbing the leagues in the very near future.

A large number of the squad this season have also been training with Exeter Chiefs Women, as well as representing Susie Appleby’s side in the Allianz Cup.

So far this season, Flo Robinson, Nancy McGillivray, Lizzie Hanlon, Maisy Allen, Niamh Orchard, Katrina Hayes & Katie Buchanan have all pulled on the Chiefs shirt in the cup, whilst a number of former club members, including fullback Merryn Doidge, have also been showing some sparkling early season form.

With a place in the Allianz Cup semi finals secured, all involved will be hoping that they can play their part in a successful title defence.

TODAY’S OPPONENTS

CARDIFF UNIVERSITY MEN

The current league leaders have proven to be the surprise package so far in BUCS Super Rugby this season.

That isn’t to say that the signs haven’t been there. Towards the end of last season, Cardiff were a team on the up, producing several eye catching results, before pushing city rivals Cardiff Met all the way in their quarterfinal clash.

This season, it has been a case of that fine form continuing and then some for Alan Flowers’ side.

An opening day victory away at Bath set the tone, before Cardiff backed that up with a first ever BUCS Super Rugby victory over Cardiff Met at the Arms Park.

Another statement victory followed a week later against Durham, before a narrow defeat to Hartpury at home last week.

Despite that loss, Cardiff remain at the top of a tightly packed table. However, with just five points separating first to seventh, one result either way could have huge ramifications for the standings.

With mercurial flyhalf Ed Dunford pulling the strings for his team, this Cardiff team are a dangerous proposition for any side they face.

One thing that is for certain is that with their brand of rugby, it’s set to be a high octane thriller at Sandy Park.

TODAY’S OPPONENTS DURHAM UNIVERSITY WOMEN

When the curtain came down at the end of last season, Durham University Women were crowned as BUCS National League winners, having finished top of the regular season.

An experienced side, with plenty of Premier15s experience within the group already, the Northerners have not had the start to the season that they would have hoped for, with two defeats.

However, as the old saying goes, beware the wounded beast. Durham will be a team with a point to prove this afternoon, as they look to get their league campaign up and running.

There’s history between the two sides as well. Exeter’s most recent BUCS National

Championship title was secured at Twickenham back in 2019 against this afternoon’s opponents, in a match that will go down as one of the best finals in many

years. That afternoon, Durham were inspired by Sophie Shams, now of Saracens Women.

This season, they have a new crop of exciting talent to choose from, with scrum half Chloe Broom set to play a key part in their season.

With only ten matches in the league, Durham can ill afford too many more slip ups if they want to regain their league title.

This afternoon is set to be a full blooded battle. Let’s see what happens.

JOSELAND EXCITEDFOR CARDIFFTEST

Making up for lost time is the goal for Benjy Joseland this season.

Last year, as a fresher, Joseland burst onto the scene in an EURFC shirt, scoring the first try of the BUCS Super Rugby season away at Swansea.

Fate can be a cruel master though, as an injury sustained the following week against Durham ruled him out until the semi finals.

Back in form this season, and with three tries already to his name, Joseland can’t wait to run out at Sandy Park this evening.

"It’sreallyexciting.It’sthefirsttime runningoutatSandyParkforalotofthe boysandit’sareallybigoccasion.Loads ofticketshavebeensoldwhichwillmakeit anevenbiggerone,buttheboysarereally excited.”

Joseland was forced to watch from the side lines last season against Cardiff Met and Loughborough, but is excited to experience the crowd as a player for the first time.

The support the club has received at crucial points in the last few big fixtures has been something that has separated it from the rest, with Joseland excited to

Last week against Leeds Beckett saw the side rack up an impressive points haul, with Joseland explaining that it was important for his side to find some momentum building into this evening’s match.

“It’sabsolutelyhuge.Thosefivepointshas givenusalotofconfidence.Itwasabig winandaresultwedefinitelyneeded. Hopefullywecanusethatmomentumto moveuptheleagueinthecomingweeks.”

Joseland has been in fine form this season, with three tries so far to his name. However, this evening will be his first start at fullback for the first team since that match in Durham.

hear the roar of the crowd come kick off. “It’sabsolutelymassive.Yougobackto thefinalandthesemifinallastyear,the Exetersupportwasabsolutelymassive andhelpedusgetovertheline.Hopefully theycandoitagainthistime.”

Cardiff arrive at Sandy Park as the table toppers, after notable victories against Cardiff Met and Durham. Joseland though, insists that the focus remains very much on his own side and their performance.

“They’retopoftheleague,butwetrynot tofocusonthat.Ifanything,itgivesus moreofareasontogooutandbeat them.Weneedtofocusonourselvesand ifwedothat,we’reallconfidentineach other.”

The Sandy Park pitch should also allow for some entertaining fast paced rugby, with Joseland challenging his side to stick to their structures.

“Weneedtokeeptoourstrengthsand keeptheballinplay.We’lllooktobe physicalandplaywithalotofintent.We needtosticktoourstructure.”

EURFC MEN VS BATH 30 NOVEMBER 2022 KICK OFF: 14:00

EURFC WOMEN VS EDINBURGH 16 NOVEMBER 2022

OFFICIAL KIT

SUPPLIER OF EURFC