Hartpury University are BUCS Super Rugby champions, following a commanding victory over Loughborough at Rodney Parade, Newport, last night (Wednesday 16 April).
The win marks a triumphant return to the top for Hartpury, who have now taken this title four times out of a possible seven – twice more than their nearest rivals Exeter, who have taken the title on two occasions. This is Hartpury’s first victory in the championship since 2019, although there was no final in 2020 due to the pandemic.
The thrilling final saw Hartpury overcome an early setback as Loughborough’s Seb Smith opened the scoring. However, Hartpury quickly took control with tries from Corbin Smith and Rhys Price in quick succession, followed by a third from Casey Williams. Despite Loughborough’s efforts to stay in touch through penalties from Morgan Meredith, Hartpury’s resilience and attacking prowess proved decisive.
The second half showcased Hartpury’s determination, with George Perry’s close-range try and Oscar Wilson’s late score from a brilliant cross-field kick sealing the victory. Loughborough fought hard, but Hartpury’s defence held firm to secure the title.
Under the leadership of coach Dan Murphy, Hartpury has reclaimed its place at the pinnacle of university rugby.
Murphy said: “This victory is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and resilience of our players and coaching staff. It feels great to bring the title back to Hartpury as we’ve enjoyed great success over the years. It highlights our commitment to excellence both on and off the field, and we look forward to building on this success in the future.”
Hartpury’s commitment to excellence in sport is demonstrated by its world-class facilities and coaching. This latest success for the department adds to outstanding recent performances in football, netball and golf, and highlights how students are supported to train and compete alongside their studies. Impressively, sports degrees at Hartpury University rank 4th among 86 universities (for student satisfaction) in The Guardian University Guide 2025.
