WBSR to expand to eight teams for 2026-27

Women’s BUCS Super Rugby (WBSR), established in the 2024-25 season, is the highest level of university rugby within the UK. Currently there are seven teams competing representing England, Scotland and Wales. The current teams in the league are Brunel, Cardiff, Cardiff Met, Edinburgh, Exeter, Hartpury and Loughborough. 

In the first two seasons of Women’s BUCS Super Rugby Hartpury have taken the league crown twice, while Cardiff Met picked up the inaugural Milk Championship with the second edition taking place at Rodney Parade later this year on Wednesday 22 April. 

During the 2025-26 season, BUCS, the Women's BUCS Super Rugby League Management Committee and the Rugby Union Sport Advisory Group have been reviewing the top levels of women's rugby union and the number of teams competing in WBSR. 

The outcome of this review is that Women's BUCS Super Rugby will expand to 8 teams for the 2026-27 season with the winner of the Playoff, taking place on Wednesday 18 March between Nottingham and Surrey, to be promoted to Women's BUCS Super Rugby. 

Dan Roberts, BUCS National Performance Manager, said: "As we go into the third season of Women's BUCS Super Rugby it's exciting that the programme is in a position to grow and this is a testament to the quality of women's rugby union programmes within the membership.

“We're looking forward to continuing work with our members, NGB partners and stakeholders to provide high quality playing opportunities for student-athletes."

Chris Campbell, Chair of the Rugby Union Sport Advisory Group, added: “We are delighted that following review, we are able to expand Women's BUCS Super Rugby to 8 teams.

“The standard of rugby being delivered by the league is exceptional, and the standards set by the teams in the division have created a product which other universities are striving to be part of.

“We have no doubt that both the University of Nottingham and University of Surrey would be an excellent addition to the league and we wish them both the best of luck in their playoff fixture next Wednesday.”

To keep up to date with Women’s BUCS Super Rugby be sure to follow the @BUCSSuperRugby Instagram page and if you’d like to watch WBSR in action find tickets to the Milk Championship final at Rodney Parade here.