Cambridge University RUFC and Oxford University RUFC lay down 2019 Varsity Match Challenges

The gauntlet has been thrown down for this year’s Varsity Matches as Cambridge and Oxford Universities' rugby squads faced off at the Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer HQ in London.

Light Blues’ captains Fiona Shuttleworth and Stephen Leonard took members of their respective squads to meet their Oxford counterparts, led by Hazel Ellender and Ed David, at the Varsity Match Challenge ahead of this year's events at Twickenham on Thursday, December 12.

In the women’s match, after Cambridge’s 8-5 win last year - to close the gap on Oxford who lead the series 20-13 - it was Ellender that issued the challenge on behalf of the Dark Blues.

“Last year being the 30th anniversary of the Varsity Match was an amazing opportunity for us to get to know past players who have shaped both our teams throughout the generations since the first Varsity Match in 1988 and get to know them, what it was like and what they were up against us,” said Shuttleworth, a two-time Blue.

“Many people might not know that the women in Cambridge first had to start playing in burgundy because they weren’t allowed to play in the Light Blue or at Grange Road.

“For me, captaining this year it will be about wearing the shirt for my team, for the coaches, for everything we stand for as a university club but also for the women who have paved the way to be standing on the pitch today.

“It means the absolute world to us and they have completely shaped that experience, and that’s what it’s about for us.”

Oxford captain and prop Ellender, a philosophy and theology student, is also a two-time Blue.

She said : “It’s a position of incredible honour and privilege, something that is a huge exercise in trust between me and my team.

“As much as I’m trusting in them to come with me in the things I’m implementing into my training regime and the approach we’re going to be taking this year, it’s very much a two-way street in terms of trust.

“It’s something we’ve really struck a balance with very well already this year.

“In terms of our vision this year, a lot of it comes from simulating as much as you can.

“As much as it is an incredibly unique and special experience, there are elements of it that we can implement and will do in every part of our build-up, not just our matches but training, gym, fitness, mental toughness and resilience which are things we will be looking to work into our build-up.”

As Cambridge men were beaten 38-16 in 2018 - a result that gave Oxford 60 wins in the series compared to the Light Blues’ 63, with 14 draws - it fell on Leonard to issue the challenge to David.

He has internationals James Horwill and Flip van der Merwe to call on, but also plenty of continuity within the squad.

“We’ve got quite lucky in that we have fantastic continuity, with up to 16 returning Blue and below that in our LX and under-20 squads we have quite a cohesive club,” said Leonard.

“It means that the people who come through into the Blues squad are good friends to start off with.

“In terms of people coming in, besides the numerous hours you spend at Grange Road throughout the year we’re obviously very keen to push a more genuine friendship than just turning up at the same place at the same time.

“A massive thing for us is our vulnerability so we make sure we have those difficult conversations with each other and we refuse to back away from them so you forge those genuine bonds that last much longer than three months.

Former Sale Shark Kearnan Myall is in the Oxford ranks, with the Dark Blues also having a good number of returners.

“The thing that most excites me as always, and I think is probably the biggest challenge in Varsity Match rugby, is bringing a diverse group of individuals together towards a collective goal,” said David.

“That challenge is always exciting, it’s always difficult. We’ve both got supremely talented individuals who have a number of interests outside of rugby, academia and that’s before you get to extra-curricular activities.

“It’s really about getting everyone on the same songsheet and I think when you have everyone in harmony that’s when you’re creating something great to look back on.”

*The Varsity Match 2019 is taking place on Thursday, December 12 at Twickenham Stadium.

Tickets are available from only £25 for adults, £15 for students and £10 for juniors.

Group tickets and VIP hospitality packages available.

To buy tickets click here.