Welsh Varsity returns to Cardiff today (Wednesday, April 26) with thousands of students set to watch their peers battle it out against Swansea University in more than 30 sports. More than 10,000 students are expected to be cheering on their teams at events across the Welsh capital, where Varsity was last held in 2019.
The event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions and was held in Swansea in 2022, but is back in Cardiff after a three-year absence, ready for Cardiff to try and retain the shield they reclaimed in Swansea last year. Students have already been going head-to-head across the city in sports including athletics, rowing and cycling since April 19.
The big day on Wednesday has started already with the triathlon, golf, climbing and rifle shooting already under way, and will build with events across the city until the main events in the afternoon: the women's rugby at 4pm and men's rugby at 7pm (both at Cardiff Arms Park). Cardiff's women's rugby team are looking for a second win in as many years, while Swansea's men will look to follow up last year's home win with another on Cardiff soil.
Varsity is one of the biggest dates in Wales' student calendar. Other than the Covid years, it has been contested between Cardiff University and Swansea University since 1997 and this year celebrates its 25th anniversary. In previous years, the rugby matches have been held in the Swansea.com stadium and the Principality Stadium.
Olivia Evans, VP sports and athletic union president at Cardiff University, said it was "so exciting" to have Varsity back in Cardiff, adding: "I have no doubt that our Team Cardiff will be on top form for this monumental home fixture." Her Swansea counterpart Jonathan Davies, sports
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Jonathan Davies