Preview: Mens Rugby Union Start Season with Exeter Showdown

September 21, 2026 19:53 by Kian Gadsby

182 days after their National Championship exit to Durham in the quarter-finals, the University of Nottingham’s Men’s Rugby Union 1s begin their BUCS Super Rugby campaign under the lights when they welcome Exeter to Highfield Sports Complex.

The Green and Gold come into this season in high spirits on the back of their best campaign in recent memory. After finishing fourth in Super Rugby table, their highest position since the league restructured a decade ago, UoN cemented their place as one of the strongest teams in the country with victory in the Celestial 7s championships.

That season included doing the double over Exeter, with a 42-26 demolition on the south coast being followed up with a pivotal 29-19 win in their final home league fixture of the season.

After a season of rapid progression, the question is whether the Green and Gold can maintain their status as one of the contenders for the Super Rugby title.

However, as one of only three teams to finish above UoN, Exeter will be a challenging opposition for Nottingham to welcome in the new campaign.

Both sides come into the game adjusting to the loss of key players. Alex Garrett and former captain Ben Glanville have departed Nottingham, while Exeter have lost talisman Ben Coen, with the fly-half signing a professional contract with Premiership outfit Exeter Chiefs.

In a pre-match press conference with BUCS Super Rugby, UoN Head Coach Paul Westgate said that he hopes Highfields will become ‘a fortress again’ for the new campaign. After last season’s historic fourth-place finish, on opening night he will be wanting his new side to deliver a statement performance that reminds the rest of the league that Nottingham are here to compete.

Where? Highfields Sports Complex

When? 19:00 on Wednesday 23rd September

From the source How to watch? Tickets are available through the link in the @unruc Instagram bio, while those unable to attend can watch the game through ClubberTV.

Featured image courtesy of UoN Sport. No changes were made to this image.

In article image 1 courtesy of UoN Sport. No changes were made to this image.

In article image 2 courtesy of UoN Sport. No changes were made to this image.