The game will again be played at Richmond Athletic Ground, on Saturday 27 September (kick-off 6pm), and will be the fourth consecutive year in which the derby match has been contested at the home of London Scottish.

Former Scotland internationalists and alumni of the universities, Jonny Petrie (St A) and Simon Taylor (Edinburgh), helped launch the fixture in the grounds of the iconic St Andrews Cathedral.

St Andrews currently hold the Cup, after recording a 24-15 victory in last year’s game, the first time they had managed the feat since the derby upped-sticks and moved to London.

St Andrews captain, and last year’s man of the match, Danny Clink, said: “We always look forward to the varsity match to kick start our season, yet are fully aware that Edinburgh [University] are a talented team and will come at us hard. We don’t often get the chance to play Edinburgh, as they compete in the league above us, so it’s a great opportunity to test ourselves and one that I know a lot of boys will relish. There was a great buzz around the game last year, with the crowd of over 1400, and we would love for more of the same this year.”

Head of Men’s Rugby at Edinburgh, David Adamson, agreed with this saying: “The event is growing year on year and we are already in discussions to bring the game to Edinburgh next year so that there will be a greater student involvement. We see this as the next step in the event evolving. On the playing side, we are desperate to put in a good showing following last year’s defeat. We had a number of 1st years playing last year, so they will be a year older and hopefully a bit wiser come the 27th September!”

In addition to the men’s game, the inaugural women’s varsity match will take place in the form of a sevens game, played during half-time of the main event.

Freya Gannon-Burns, a member of the Edinburgh University Women’s squad, said: “There’s a real excitement building around our squad at getting the chance to feature as part of the Scottish Varsity event. The women’s game is growing in popularity, especially in the wake of the recent World Cup, and this is a fantastic opportunity not only to showcase women’s rugby, but the talent coming through the university system. Our squad featured in the national BUCS sevens late last season, and exceeded expectations by getting to the semi-final, so we are confident going into the game.”

Both universities firmly encourage all alumni to come along and back their old colours.

Tickets for the game are free and will be available on the door, on matchday.

For further information, visit: facebook.com/ScottishVarsityMatch

SCOTTISH VARSITY MATCH IS SPONSORED BY

Using the Calcutta Cup as a lynchpin, the weekend kicked off with a reception and dinner at the Sheraton Grand. Guests heard speeches from the University’s Principal, Sir Timothy O’Shea, and from, EURFC’s oldest club member, Clifford Lutton, who regaled the rambunctious crowd with pre and post-war stories of playing rugby for the University.

Saturday morning saw an early start with former grads taking to the pitch to revive their skills in a touch rugby tournament, held on the new 3G surface at Peffermill. This was followed by an Old Boys vs EURFC XV match cheered on by their fellow graduates and current students from Laurie Liddell Club House.

The match was played in keeping with spirit of weekend which saw the current students just pipping their elders in a close game. Revellers then went their separate ways to watch Scotland take on England in the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield.

The World-Cup winning  scrum-half set up the J9 Foundation, which provides support and care to MND sufferers, their families and carers, following his diagnosis in 2011 and following his visit is now in partnership with the Euan MacDonald centre, which is hoped will in time the collaboration will bring benefit to MNDpatients as knowledge and expertise are shared.

Whilst visiting he of course took a look at the University’s sports facilities and spoke to some of the Universities current rugby team members.