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Durham University Rugby Club at 150

1875 - 2025

Durham University Rugby Club (DURFC) is one of the oldest and most successful university rugby clubs in the UK.

To mark the occasion, we're delving into the Club's rich history, exploring its transformational influence on the lives of those affiliated with it. Looking across students, staff, and our alumni, we highlight how the Club unites different walks of life, opens doorways to various career pathways, and creates a sense of community and belonging through sport.
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A day of rugby in Durham

On Saturday 3 May, Durham University Rugby Club (DURFC) and Durham University Women's Rugby Club (DUWRFC), together with Team Durham, and with the support of Campus Living Villages, organised a special day of rugby.

DUWRFC took on the North East Women's XV Select team, followed by a match between DURFC 1st XV and the iconic Barbarians.

"To celebrate the 150th year of rugby at Durham University, the club is both honoured and proud to become only the 5th university team to take on the world famous Barbarians. To do so in the North East, where it all began for the renowned wearers of the black and white shirt (the first game ever was against Hartlepool Rovers in 1890), makes it even more of a privilege."

- Alex Keay, former Barbarians player, current Barbarians lead coach, and DURFC 150th Coordinator

Our award-winning student TV station, PalTV, broadcast the matches live. Why not watch them back on YouTube?

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Watch PalTV's broadcast
Members of the women's rugby team practicing scrum formation
View images from the matches
A line of male rugby players wearing purple tops walking out on to the pitch.
See the squads
A mud splattered female student in green, black and white holding a rugby ball runs away from two opponents
Sport at Durham

Welcoming back rugby legends

We were honoured to welcome back long-term University rugby coach and former DURFC president Ted Wood, alumnus and Bristol Bears captain Fitz Harding, and Diane King, wife of former DURFC president Fergus King who sadly passed away in 2020.

On Saturday 3 May, alumnus and captain of Bristol Bears Fitz Harding met DURFC 1st XV to present the team with their kit. Before match kick-off, players also met Ted Wood (pictured) and Fergus King's wife Diane. Both Ted and Fergus had huge impacts on rugby at Durham. Ted developed the talents of players who progressed to national level, like Will Carling, Will Greenwood, Marcus Rose, Phil De Glanville and Chris Oti. Fergus lived and breathed rugby and was known for his no nonsense approach.

The matches in photos

Scroll through the gallery below for a snapshot of the two matches on Saturday 3 May.

Images 1 - 13: DUWRFC Past and Present vs North East Women's Select XV

Images 14 - 28: DURFC 1st XV vs The Barbarians

 

Two teams of female rugby players wearing purple tops, and red and white tops, playing against each other

DUWRFC Past and Present vs North East Women's Select XV on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of female rugby players wearing purple tops, and red and white tops, playing against each other

DUWRFC Past and Present vs North East Women's Select XV on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of female rugby players wearing purple tops, and red and white tops, playing against each other

DUWRFC Past and Present vs North East Women's Select XV on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of female rugby players wearing purple tops, and red and white tops, playing against each other

DUWRFC Past and Present vs North East Women's Select XV on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of female rugby players wearing purple tops, and red and white tops, playing against each other

DUWRFC Past and Present vs North East Women's Select XV on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of female rugby players wearing purple tops, and red and white tops, playing against each other

DUWRFC Past and Present vs North East Women's Select XV on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of female rugby players wearing purple tops, and red and white tops, playing against each other

DUWRFC Past and Present vs North East Women's Select XV on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of female rugby players wearing purple tops, and red and white tops, playing against each other

DUWRFC Past and Present vs North East Women's Select XV on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

A team of female rugby players wearing purple tops, standing in a group with ttheir backs to the camera

DUWRFC Past and Present vs North East Women's Select XV on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of female rugby players wearing purple tops, and red and white tops, playing against each other

DUWRFC Past and Present vs North East Women's Select XV on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of female rugby players wearing purple tops, and red and white tops, playing against each other

DUWRFC Past and Present vs North East Women's Select XV on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of female rugby players wearing purple tops, and red and white tops, playing against each other

DUWRFC Past and Present vs North East Women's Select XV on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of female rugby players wearing purple tops, and red and white tops standing in a long line for the camera.

DUWRFC Past and Present vs North East Women's Select XV on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

DURFC 1st XV vs The Barbarians on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of rugby players wearing purple tops, and black and white tops, playing against each other

DURFC 1st XV vs The Barbarians on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of rugby players wearing purple tops, and black and white tops, playing against each other

DURFC 1st XV vs The Barbarians on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

A rugby player wearing a purple top and holding a rugby ball diving towards the ground.

DURFC 1st XV vs The Barbarians on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of rugby players wearing purple tops, and black and white tops, playing against each other

DURFC 1st XV vs The Barbarians on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of rugby players wearing purple tops, and black and white tops, playing against each other

DURFC 1st XV vs The Barbarians on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of rugby players wearing purple tops, and black and white tops, playing against each other

DURFC 1st XV vs The Barbarians on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of rugby players wearing purple tops, and black and white tops, playing against each other

DURFC 1st XV vs The Barbarians on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two rugby players wearing purple tops, and black and white tops, playing against each other

DURFC 1st XV vs The Barbarians on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

A group of male rugby players wearing black and white shirts walking in a line.

DURFC 1st XV vs The Barbarians on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of rugby players wearing purple tops, and black and white tops, playing against each other

DURFC 1st XV vs The Barbarians on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of rugby players wearing purple tops, and black and white tops, playing against each other

DURFC 1st XV vs The Barbarians on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of rugby players wearing purple tops, and black and white tops, playing against each other

DURFC 1st XV vs The Barbarians on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of rugby players wearing purple tops, and black and white tops, playing against each other

DURFC 1st XV vs The Barbarians on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

Two teams of rugby players wearing purple tops, and black and white tops, playing against each other

DURFC 1st XV vs The Barbarians on Saturday 3 May. Image courtesy of John Ashton.

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Talking Team Durham with University rugby coaches Si Culley and Rob Vickers

The second episode of the newly-launched Talking Team Durham podcast features a conversation with our current Head and Assistant Coaches (and Durham alumni) Si Culley and Rob Vickers.

Listen in as they chat to hosts Dave Coldwell (our Head of Sport and Physical Activity) and Peter Warburton OBE (our former Director of Sport) about the Rugby Club's 150th Anniversary, their experience of rugby at Durham, subsequent professional rugby careers, and coming back at Durham as coaches.

Explore more of Team Durham's podcast episodes
A female rugby player in purple runs through the middle of two other female players in white trying to tackle her.

Durham Inspired: Racecourse Rugby Scholarship

The Racecourse Rugby Scholarship provides support for incoming undergraduates looking to combine rugby as a University level sport with further education at Durham. The Scholarship has been gifted by University rugby club alumni who wish to provide the same opportunities they were afforded.

Find out more

From students to professionals: our international rugby community

A large number of our alumni have gone on to become famous international players. Familiar names include former England captains Peter Dixon, Will Carling, Phil de Glanville, and England World Cup Winner Will Greenwood.

This tradition continues today, and we continue to develop numerous professional players. Athletes to look out for include Josh Beaumont, who has played more than 160 times for Sale Sharks; Fitz Harding, the current Captain of Bristol Bears; and Super Rugby New South Wales (Australia) Waratahs flanker Jamie Adamson. A number of the Barbarians team playing on Saturday 3 May are themselves Durham alumni.

Find out more

Watch videos with our current and former rugby stars

Play video 1

Durham University Rugby Football Club at 150 - Arthur Green

Current undergraduate Arthur Green (Sociology, Grey College) answers a few questions on his experience of playing rugby at Durham. Arthur combines his studies with a professional rugby career at Bath Rugby.

Watch more videos from Team Durham
Watch more videos from Team Durham

Durham University Rugby Club in images through the years.

Durham University Rugby Club in images through the years.

Durham University Rugby Club in images through the years.

A remarkable rugby heritage

With roots dating back to the foundations of the University, DURFC's past is illustrious and long-standing. 

From origins as one of the strongest senior sides, DURFC-linked teams dominated the rugby landscape in the North East of England in the 1900s. The importance of rugby and sport in general as a unifying element of society was recognised early on, with The Northerner (student newspaper in the 1900s) remarking:

"When our cup-ties do come around, it is imperative that men turn out and yell for all they are worth. Laboratories and lectures are no excuse, and, in fact, we do not see why the colleges should be open at all on these important days."

A huddle of purple shirted rugby players with coaches

The 1875 Alumni Society

Named after the year DURFC was founded, the Alumni Society provides a community to maintain the relationships and camaraderie experienced by former DURFC players. They also support the rugby club's vision to maintain its position amongst the elite rugby universities in the UK.

Read more about the Society