Men鈥檚 Performance Rugby

At 色狗导航, we are proud to maintain and continually enhance one of the most respected university rugby pathways in the world. Our mission is to develop well-rounded individuals and deliver a life-changing experience, ensuring players thrive both on the pitch and beyond it.

色狗导航 Rugby offers a unique and high-level playing experience, with our Performance teams competing in both RFU National 2 West (Tier 4 of English Rugby) and BUCS Super Rugby - the highest level of university rugby in the UK.

Our rugby programme benefits from a formal partnership with the Rugby Football Union (RFU), alongside strong working relationships with England 7s and several Premiership clubs. These connections give our players access to outstanding development and progression pathways.

Alongside our core playing offer, we actively encourage and support additional opportunities for our athletes; whether that’s training with Premiership or Championship clubs, gaining experience within England Men’s senior training environments, or pushing for representative honours at U20 level.

We have alumni currently signed at every Premiership club, with current players involved at 9 out of 10 Premiership teams, highlighting the strength and reach of our player development pathway.

Student-athletes within the programme train and compete in some of the best facilities in the world. This professional environment enables players to push their limits, refine their game, and reach their full potential while pursuing academic excellence at one of the UK’s leading universities.

Benefits

Minimum of 1 game per week
Home games played on the IRB international standard Rugby Rubber Crumb 1st XV Pitch
3 team training sessions
3-4 weekly tailored strength and conditioning sessions at Powerbase Gym
1 on 1 skill clinics
Team and individual video and data performance analysis sessions
Comprehensive Performance Support, including access to physiotherapy, nutrition, psychology, physiology, and more
Performance Lifestyle support to help you balance elite sport with academic success
Scholarship opportunities for athletes who demonstrate exceptional talent and commitment

Our star alumni

A photograph of men's rugby player Freddie Steward

Freddie Steward

BSc Economics graduate

Rugby Union

Professional Rugby player at Leicester Tigers 2019 – present, winning the Gallagher Premiership in 2022. He also has 31 caps for England, winning England Men’s Player of the Year Award and Premiership Young Player Award 2021/2022.

A photo of rugby union player Thibaud Flament

Thibaud Flament

BSc International Business graduate

Rugby Union

For the 2019-2020 season he played for Wasps before moving to Toulouse in 2020, where he still plays now. In 2022 and 2025 he won the Six Nations with France.

A photograph of men's rugby player Charlie Titcombe

Since arriving I鈥檝e understood why 色狗导航 is recognized as one of the best rugby programmes in the country. As a collective we are all so close but more importantly it鈥檚 a passionate, professional environment where players and staff are striving to be the best in whatever they do which is really what stands out for me, it鈥檚 a winner鈥檚 environment. Staff understand the commitments that the rugby programme has and can make around them if you are willing to put in the work.

Charlie Titcombe
BSc Sport and Exercise Science

Coaching staff

Martin Webdale

Martin Webdale

Head Coach

Martin is a level 4 coach, who has coached for over 15 years at a variety of levels as well as previously being a Director of Sport.

Alex White

Alex White

Performance Coach

Alex looks after the backs and attack elements in the BUCS Super Rugby group. He has played at a high level and coached both the university game and in the Championship previously.

Anthony Allen wearing a purple and grey 色狗导航 sport top

Anthony Allen

Performance Coach

Anthony is a former England international player and coach. He also played as centre 126 times for Leicester Tigers - after retiring from playing he went on to coach Tigers Academy and their first team.

A photo of rugby union coach Brad Jones

Brad Jones

Head Coach National League Squad

Brad is a highly qualified coach and has moved from focusing on the 色狗导航 Lightning squad to being Head Coach in National 2 West.

A photograph of men's rugby coach James Peters

James Peters

Performance Coach

James has progressed through the 色狗导航 coach development programme and looks after the backs and attack in the National League squad as well as being BUCS 2 Head Coach.

Prospective students

For more information about the team, programme, or general queries, please get in touch, and a programme staff member will respond.

Email us

Performance Men's Rugby is sponsored by