The Scottish Varsity
| The Scottish Varsity | |
| Contested by | |
 |
|
| St Andrews RFC | Edinburgh RFC |
| First varsity match | 1860s |
| Annual event since | 2011 (resurrected) |
| Current champion | St Andrews |
| Largest margin of victory | Edinburgh, 32-0 (2011) |
| Location | Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh |
| Current sponsor | Royal Bank of Scotland |
| Trophy | The Scottish Varsity Cup |
| Website | Scottish Varsity Match |
The Scottish Varsity, also known as The Royal Bank of Scotland Scottish Varsity Match, is an annual rugby union fixture between the University of St Andrews and the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. The universities are both founders of the Scottish Rugby Union and varsity fixtures have been held since the 1860s, laying claim to the title of the "world's oldest varsity match".[1]
The Scottish Varsity was resurrected in 2011 after a hiatus of over 50 years and was staged in London at the home of London Scottish RFC in order to build alumni relations.[2] In 2015, the match returned to Scotland in Murrayfield Stadium and drew a crowd of over 10,000 spectators.[3] The match is normally held in late September and has received coverage from Sky Sports, the BBC and IRB’s Total Rugby.[4]
In 2015, St Andrews won the trophy for the 3rd successive year by 27 points to 26[5] despite having a student body a third of the size of Edinburgh's.
Results
Varsity matches were initially held on St. Andrew's Day but have been moved earlier to late September, they have attracted notable attendees including her Royal Highness Princess Anne in 2012.[6]
| No. | Date | Venue | Score | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 November 2011 | Richmond Athletic Ground, London | 32 – 0 | Edinburgh |
| 2 | 30 November 2012 | Richmond Athletic Ground, London | 28 – 8 | Edinburgh |
| 3 | 28 September 2013 | Richmond Athletic Ground, London | 24 – 15 | St Andrews |
| 4 | 27 September 2014 | Richmond Athletic Ground, London | 17 – 12 | St Andrews |
| 5 | 26 September 2015 | Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh | 27 – 26 | St Andrews |
By total wins
| Total matches | St Andrews victories | Edinburgh victories | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
See also
- University of St Andrews RFC
- Edinburgh University RFC
- Scottish Rugby Union
- The Varsity Match
- Varsity match
References
- ↑ "Varsity match is coming home". Scottish Rugby News. 19 May 2015.
- ↑ "A Renewed Rivalry". The University of Edinburgh. 26 August 2015.
- ↑ "Students set for Varsity encounters at BT Murrayfield". Edinburgh Evening News. 25 September 2015.
- ↑ "The Scottish Varsity Match". Saints Rugby.
- ↑ "Murphy heroics earn St Andrews a Varsity hat-trick". Scottish Rugby. 26 September 2015.
- ↑ "Scottish Varsity Match". University of St Andrews: Saints Sports.