Shop Windows and BUCS Rugby

“Promote themselves in the shop window” a delighted Hartbury University head coach Dan Murphy exclaims after winning a 50 point BUCS Super rugby final. The speed, shape and attrition of the final held at Rodney Parade was there to see for over 20 thousand people tuning into the stream but how many of these students actually go on to play professional rugby?

The laymans answer is quite a few. I was looking at the Newcastle Falcons team for tomorrow night to play Northampton Saints in the Gallagher Premiership and Finn Baker, Ben Stevenson, Adam Brocklebank and Max Pepper were all in the squad. All graduates of BUCS Super Rugby.

You may argue this is an anomaly. Its not. In Exeters last premiership trip to Bristol on the 22nd of March 2025 12 BUCS Super rugby players former and current were in Exeters 23 man squad. Nearly a quarter of the England A Training squad which was named to play Ireland in February had BUCS Super Rugby experience!

The BUCS Super Rugby Alumni are plying their trade far and wide. Jaime Adamson a former Durham University Backrower made an impact on his New South Wales Waratahs debut against the Highlanders this year. Ed Timpson debuted for LA in the MLR in Feburary. Slightly less exotically but no less impressive Fin Richardson, a prop, made his Debut for Glasgow Warriors just before Christmas.

This idea of a BUCS SUPER Rugby shop window is not new. During my own time at Loughborough University I played with a number of students who went on to sign professional contracts; Thibault flament (Tolouse, France) Antoine frisch (Toulon) Will Edwards (Harlequins) and Rotmi segun (Saracens) to name a few. However, I would argue the window has become far more similar to a floor in Brown Thomas during the festive period.

Team Sheets with BUCS players mentioned in post

Finn Baker, Ben Stevenson, Adam Brocklebank and Max Pepper