University Rugby
The Irish Universities Rugby Union (IURU) is the representative body for University Rugby Union in Ireland. The IURU and its member clubs are committed to developing the full academic, personal, and sporting potential of all our players and members in a respectful, safe, and enjoyable environment.
Working closely together with the IRFU, the IURU is dedicated to the growth of Third Level rugby through maximising opportunity, participation, and accessibility to the game of rugby for all players, male and female, regardless of standard.
The IURU works in close association with Student Sports Ireland (SSI) in respect of student rugby competitions and through representation on the IRFU Third Level Sub-committee.
You can follow them on twitter and instagram @IURU_Irish_Unis
Domestic Competitions
The IURU organises four domestic 15 – a – side tournaments on an annual basis. The competitions are run as four standalone competitions, on different dates and at different venues, with the 2021-22 Season planned as follows:
The Dudley Cup (Senior Men) adopted a challenge format in 2018, where AIL fixtures are utilised to double-up as challenge matches and supplemented with cross-divisional fixtures to ensure all eligible member clubs can access challenges in rotation. UCD RFC are current holders, having beaten UCC RFC in the Mardyke in November 2019 in Challenge V of the new format.
Challenge VI sees DUFC challenge UCD RFC in Belfield on 9 October 2021. The new format has already provided to be very successful and has invigorated this prestigious competition.
The Conroy Cup (U20 Men) will be played for in blitz format at QUB RFC in Belfast on Saturday 23 October 2021. UCD RFC are also current holders of this trophy, winning the last event held at Lakelands on 26 October 2019.
The Kay Bowen Cup (Senior Women) will be played for in a blitz format at MU Barnhall RFC on Wednesday 3 February 2022; DCU RFC are current holders of this trophy, winning the last event held at Parsonstown on 13 February 2019.
The Maughan Scally Cup (Junior Men) will be played for in blitz format at UCD RFC in Belfield on Saturday 12 March 2022. NUIG RFC are current holders of this trophy, winning the last event held at Dangan on 13 February 2019.
Collectively, these competitions demonstrate the breadth, depth, and vibrancy of rugby activity across the Universities of Ireland.
Ireland Students
The IURU also organises Student representative fixtures against other representative sides inside and outside Ireland. In the past, the Combined Universities have played against full International touring sides, including the famous victory over the Springboks at Thomond Park in 1965.
In recent years, the Irish Universities have organised fixtures against other European Student representative sides.
2016 saw the revival of the third level international representative team in the guise of the Ireland Students, and this fixture, organised by the IURU, was designed as a launch-pad for the reintroduction of regular international matches for Irish student teams. Since this revival, the Ireland Students have completed the following fixtures:
In April 2016, losing at home to a very strong English Students at College Park, Trinity on a score line of 57-30.
In April 2017, drawing a thrilling match away to English Students at Iffley Road, Oxford on a score line of 36-36.
In February 2018, winning a tough match away to Scottish Students at Peffermill Playing Fields, Edinburgh on score-line of 17-33.
In February 2019, winning an entertaining match at home to Scottish Students at The Dub at Queens University in Belfast as part of the celebration of the QUB RFC 150-year anniversary season on a score line of 31-3.
In recent times, plans have been progressed to have a standing Student International fixture against the French Universities. In the coming 2021-22 Season, Ireland Students will travel away to play the French Universities on Friday 11 February 2022, in a highly anticipated return to international competition.