Rugby Union

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TITANS OF

BUCS SUPER RUGBY

Leeds Beckett University Rugby Union club offers elite level pathways if you're looking to compete at a high standard as well as study and get your degree. We have a strong programme with six clubs available, including our BUCS Super Rugby team.

Leeds Beckett has been part of the BUCS Super Rugby programme since the competition first launched in 2016. BUCS Super Rugby is the top competition for university rugby in the United Kingdom and includes the ten top university rugby teams in the country.

We are currently looking to improve on a stellar past campaigns which saw lots of great moments for our team, including:

Reaching the BUCS Super Rugby final at Twickenham
Becoming the first team to secure an 11 game unbeaten run in the competition
Being crowned BUCS Sevens Champions

Leeds Beckett University v University of Leeds | Leeds Varsity

meet our team

Our team includes former Wales international Colin Stephens as Director of Rugby Union, and Kerry Wood as Programme Manager and Head Coach.

MEET OUR HEAD COACH Kerry Wood

My mindset on life is Kia Kaha Mauria te pono which means stand strong, be strong, believe in yourself.

coach profile

Leeds Beckett Rugby Programme Manager Kerry Wood has been with the university since 2016, working with the Rugby Union Club. Kerry oversees the rugby pathway at Leeds Beckett and is the head coach of the BUCS Super Rugby team. He, along with their coaching support staff, guide the players’ development in the programme, from the BUCS Super Rugby team to the emerging squads.

The New Zealand native moved to the UK a long time ago and he spent five years as a player coach, and he is also a qualified joiner.

Kerry Wood, Rugby Programme Manager and Head Coach
k.n.wood@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

Women's Rugby Union

About us

Leeds Beckett women's rugby union is a fun way to get fit, makes friends and get involved in a new sport even if you’ve never played before. From complete beginners to experienced players everyone is welcome.

Women's rugby is one of the fastest growing sports at the university and by joining our team you will make friends for life, have endless laughs and play a fun and exciting sport. The club compete in weekly BUCS fixtures and also enjoy an array of social events throughout the year.

Training

An average week of rugby union includes training on a Monday evening and matches on a Wednesday. We have Wednesday socials which often include a fancy dress theme. Once a week there will be a optional fitness session. The club have occasional team meetings and other social opportunities, such as dry socials.

She studies, she scores! Lauren Delaney.

Leeds Beckett Student Lauren Delany is an elite Irish Rugby player, a Performance Nutritionist for Leeds Rhinos and currently studying a PhD in Sport and Exercise Physiology. Listen as she talks to us about her sporting journey, from Basketball to starting Rugby at 25 and her nutritional work at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. She also looks ahead to the future where she’s set her sights on the Rugby World Cup and using the platform she has to continue inspiring women in sport.

Join us

New members can contact the club through the following:

Instagram: @leedsbeckettwomensrugby

Everything you need to know

Train to be the best

The BUCS Super Rugby squad benefit from dedicated coaching staff as well as full time medical and strength & conditioning staff to help with player development.

Players will get exclusive access to the rugby staff as well as dedicated training sessions, on the field and in the gym, video review sessions and other activities that you would expect from a professional rugby club.

All training is scheduled around your studies, taking up around 15-20 hours of your time weekly, spread over four to five days including evening and weekends.

Gold club mark — **The women's rugby union team has been awarded the Gold LBU Club Mark for 2025/26**

Bronze club mark — **The men's rugby union team has been awarded the Bronze LBU Club Mark for 2025/26**

example training schedule

Monday: Strength and conditioning training 07:15-09:00 | field session 18:00-20:00
Tuesday: Rest day | individual review with coaches
Wednesday: Game day
Thursday: Pool recovery
Friday: Strength and conditioning training 07:15-09:00 | review / field session 17:00-19:00
Saturday: Strength and conditioning training 08:00-10:00
Sunday: Rest day

We have been supporting students to reach their potential through the scheme since 2002. Famous alumni that have benefitted from the scheme include Lucy Bronze, Alistair Brownlee, Alex Yee, Emily Scarratt, Vicky Fleetwood, Laura Weightman and Tom Bosworth.

Leeds Beckett awards a number of sports scholarships to high performing athletes each year who are committed to upholding the values of the university and willing to represent Leeds Beckett in BUCS events. Scholarships are also awarded to those who demonstrate the ability to progress and achieve high levels of success in their chosen sports.

Sports Scholarships

Criteria

As a rugby union player you may be eligible for a scholarship if you meet the following criteria:

Men - Contact Colin Stephens or Kerry Wood for details.
Women - Senior county level and above after consultation with Colin Stephens and Kerry Wood

Join us

How to get involved

Whether you’re new to the sport or have perfected your craft you’ll find yourself right at home within the Rugby Team. Preferably you’ll have some experience within a team / sporting setting but with 5 teams we don’t exclude those who want to try something new or develop themselves through physical activity.

You can get in touch with Coach Kerry about getting involved or connect with us on social media.