By Mark Farmer
De Montfort University’s Rugby third team will play their first ever Varsity game in the club’s history this year.
The fixture will take place on March 9 at Stoughton Road Playing Fields against bitter rivals; University of Leicester, to the delight of third team captain Charlie Baskott.
Charlie said: “It would be a huge honour to lead the team on such an occasion.”
The club’s third’s had been bidding to enter a team into the British University & Colleges Sports (BUCS) leagues but have always been hampered in their attempts to do so.
Charlie said: “As exams approach you can find yourself with less players to choose from.
“This can lead to your plans for the season falling by the wayside.”
There have been no such problems his year however, as the team played close-fought friendly matches against Coventry University and the University of Derby this season.
Contributing as two of the eight fixtures they must compete in to be considered for a place in the BUCS league.
Charlie said: “We want to enter a team into the BUCS league ultimately.
“A Varsity fixture takes us a step closer towards that.”
Club Chairman Andy Lally hopes that the achievements of the third team will lead to overall success for the club.
Andy said: “Not only does having a third team drive more interest amongst students, but gets the university more involved with the club. Offering more funding, better facilities and equipment.”
Andy also hopes for three wins at Varsity which could shape the future of rugby at DMU.
He said: “Three wins would be massive for the club and Varsity is a whole new experience for any player.
“Being able to offer that to nearly all of our members makes me extremely proud.”
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