Hartpury University R.F.C.

Hartpury University
Full nameHartpury University Rugby Football Club
UnionGloucestershire RFU
Founded2004 (2004)
LocationHartpury, Gloucestershire, England
Ground(s)Hartpury Stadium[1] (Capacity: 2,000)
CEODaniel Bingham
Coach(es)Mark Cornwell
Captain(s)Will Crane
League(s)Champ Rugby
2024–256th
Team kit
Official website
www.hartpury.ac.uk/rugby/

Hartpury University RFC is an English rugby union club. The men's first team play in the second tier of the English rugby union league system, Champ Rugby, having won promotion from National League 1 at the end of the 2016–17 season.

The club is based at Hartpury University in Gloucestershire, England, and is made up primarily of the university's students and staff.[2] Hartpury University shares a close relationship with Premiership Rugby side Gloucester, which uses Hartpury's facilities as their permanent training base and provides a small number of academy players, all of whom are current or recently departed students, to supplement the Hartpury University team. Several Hartpury University players have gone on to play for Gloucester and other professional teams.[3] They also jointly run Gloucester–Hartpury, who play in Premiership Women's Rugby, with Gloucester Rugby.

History

Hartpury College Rugby Academy was formed in September 2000 in partnership with Gloucester Rugby, consisting of a university side that competed in the BUCS league system and under-18 teams. In 2004, the college's vision of a Saturday side came to fruition and became known as Hartpury College RFC.

Starting in the eleventh tier of the league pyramid, Hartpury lost its first–ever match in the Gloucester Three North league. That was the last time that the club lost a league match until 2009, when they lost to Thornbury after four consecutive promotions, an EDF Junior Vase and an EDF Senior Vase. That setback did not prevent Hartpury from gaining further promotions to National League 1. During this time the team both the Level Six Champions Cup and EDF Intermediate Cup at Twickenham. In the 2016–17 season, their third at Level 3, Hartpury created history in winning National League 1 with a 100% record — winning all thirty of their fixtures and only twice failing to secure a four-try bonus point.

As a result, the club now plays in the Greene King IPA Championship. The first season saw them finish in 10th place, but comfortably clear of relegation. This finish continued Hartpury's remarkable record of having improved their final league position in every single year of their existence.

Honours

Current standings

2025–26 Champ Rugby table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Ampthill 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Play-off
semi-finals
2 Bedford Blues 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Caldy 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Play-off
quarter-finals
4 Cambridge 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 Chinnor 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 Cornish Pirates 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 Coventry 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 Doncaster Knights 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 Ealing Trailfinders 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11 London Scottish 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12 Nottingham 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Relegation play-off
13 Richmond 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
14 Worcester Warriors 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Relegated
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source:
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Number of matches drawn
  3. Difference between points for and against
  4. Total number of points for
  5. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  6. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled

Current squad

For player movements before or during the 2024–25 season, see List of 2024–25 RFU Championship transfers § Hartpury University.

The Hartpury University squad for the 2024–25 season is:[4]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Will Crane Hooker England
Ethan Hunt Hooker England
Aristot Benz-Salomon Prop Spain
Jono Benz-Salomon Prop Spain
Harry Edwards Prop England
James Gibbons Prop England
Alex Gibson Prop England
Cameron Cobbett Lock Scotland
Jack Davies Lock Wales
Dale Lemon Lock England
Tom Cowan Back row England
Josh Gray Back row England
Ellis Hart Back row Wales
Jarrard Hayler Back row England
Sam Lewis Back row England
Harry Short Back row England
Player Position Union
Mike Austin Scrum-half England
Kyle McGhie Scrum-half Scotland
JJ Williams Scrum-half England
Harry Bazalgette Fly-half England
Nathan Chamberlain Fly-half Scotland
Josiah Edwards-Giraud Centre England
Jack Johnson Centre England
Cam Scott Centre England
Robbie Smith Centre England
Bradley Denty Wing England
Alex Forrester Wing England
Ollie Holliday Wing England
Alex Morgan Fullback Wales
Mat Protheroe Fullback Wales

Notable former players

International

References

  1. ^ "Hartpury Stadium renamed as Vodafone and 4Ed Foundation partnership unveiled". Hartpury University & College. 29 October 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  2. ^ Team Homepage. Pitchero.com. Accessed 24 March 2012.
  3. ^ Hartpury College RFC. Schoolsrugby.co.uk. Accessed 24 March 2012.
  4. ^ "Team". Hartpury RFC. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
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