The City Varsity: ICL vs LSE

We are pleased to announce The City Varsity V Event is happening on 5th of March 2022 at Rosslyn Park. Imperial College Union Men’s and Women’s rugby clubs face London School of Economics’ Men’s and Women’s rugby clubs in THE BIGGEST RUGBY CLASH OF THE YEAR. The City Varsity is an exhibition rugby match between Imperial College London and London School of Economics, held annually at the world-class facilities of Rosslyn Park RFC. It is a completely student-led initiative, and aims to remain an event created by students, for students. It has proven to be a great success in previous years with hundreds of spectators attending to witness both men’s and women’s game and the trophies - JP Morgan Shield and the Rees Rawlings Cup – being awarded. Started in 2017 to support Matt Hampson foundation, the event proved most popular among the students of both Imperial and LSE, attracting almost 1000 spectators every year. Despite the absence of TCV in 2021 due to the pandemic, we are reactivating it in 2022. 

Previous Scores (Women’s Game):

•TCV I (2017): LSE 20-5 ICL

•TCV II (2018): LSE 24-12 ICL

•TCV III (2019): LSE 12-5 ICL

•TCV IV(2020): ICL 31-17 LSE

Previous Scores (Men’s Game):

•TCV I (2017): LSE 17-10 ICL

•TCV II (2018): LSE 17-2 ICL

•TCV III (2019):LSE 37-22 ICL

•TCV IV (2020):ICL 24-12 LSE

With Imperial defending the title that took the two clubs three matches to finally earn, everything is on the line at this year’s event. You do not want to miss the on-pitch rugby flair of the top London rugby teams in BUCS and the off-pitch atmosphere of 1000 fans cheering on their university teams. For the mens squad the importance of this event is clear. For ICURFC 1XV, with 35 points after 8 games this season representing ‘Imperial Men’s 2s’, this squad of ‘skilled seniors’ and ‘freshers with flare’ have brought intelligent back moves and hard-hitting forward discipline to their game. A glimpse into their undefeated season so far: 90-5 against King’s College London, 88-5 against Kent, and 36-0 against Canterbury CC. Imperial Men’s are arriving to this varsity match with their heads help up high after a great season but also with their heads still screwed on; LSE will be their toughest opposition yet. Playing in the South Eastern Tier 3 league, LSE Men’s 1 sit second on the table with 21 points, winning 4 out of the 6 games played. Wins have seen scores of 50-0 against Surrey, 27-10 against Brighton, as well as LSE beating Imperial Medics 1XV 17-7 in the South Eastern Conference. In response, Imperial Men’s are many weeks into a rigorous routine to develop individual player and team skills in attack, defence, evasion and footwork, handling and passing, as well as tackling. ICURFC have support from top tier coaches, but at Rosslyn Park, on the 5th of March, to play for the ‘Rees Rawlings Trophy’, WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT. The Imperial crowd’s cheers and chants must be heard through West London on this night of battle. We need fans, family, and friends to motivate us to work as hard as we can on the pitch as we want to retain the trophy for you, for our university, and for the trophy’s main purpose: to drink VKs out of it on Metric dance floor at The City Varsity afterparty. For the women's squad the importance of this event is clear. Varsity is the most exciting match of the year for Imperial Women’s Rugby! I think what makes it so special is being able to invite friends and family to come and support us, which really brings a special energy to the game. I think it’s also a really great game for our new players to realise how much they’ve grown during their first season of rugby and it’s amazing to be able to see the confidence they’ve gained in such a short time. It’s the game where everyone brings their all to the match, leaving it all on the pitch. After our first City Varsity win 2 years ago, I’m so excited to see how we play this year. We’ve grown so close as a team this season, and I can’t wait to see some great whole team tries to end such a successful season for us! We have been undefeated so far this season, currently sitting at the top of South Eastern Tier 3 league: 105-0 against Queen Mary and 48-15 against Reading as well as scoring 48-10 against Kingston in the Women’s South Eastern Conference Cup. We now have some weeks of intense training to be prepared to take on LSE at Varsity. We’d love to see lots of people come to see our match, to help us with our club ambition of raising the profile of Women’s Rugby! Buy your tickets now on FIXR!!

Schedule of Events, 05/03/2022, Rosslyn Park:

5pm: Gates Open

5pm-6:30pm: Women’s Match

6:45pm-8:15pm: Men’s Match

8:20pm: Award Ceremony

9pm-Late: Afterparty