Rugby

Cardiff Metropolitan University has strengthened its connections with professional rugby in Wales through a new partnership with Dragons RFC, creating opportunities for students, coaches and aspiring sports professionals to gain experience within the elite game. Announced on Monday 19 October, the partnership will bring together Cardiff Met's expertise in sport education, research and performance with the professional rugby environment at Dragons RFC, helping to create strong

One of the biggest dates in the university sporting calendar returns this Wednesday as Cardiff Met and Cardiff University go head-to-head once again in the Cardiff Clash at Cardiff Arms Park. Tickets are now on sale for the double-header on Wednesday 7 October, with Cardiff Met’s women and men preparing to take on their city rivals in front of another big crowd in the Welsh capital. The action begins at 4:30pm, when Cardiff University Women face Cardiff Met Women, before the

Cardiff Met’s influence on the international stage was on full display as Wales produced a stunning 50-19 victory over South Africa at Cardiff Arms Park, with current students and former Archers making their mark throughout a memorable night for Welsh rugby. Seven players with Cardiff Met connections featured in the Wales matchday squad, with Amy Williams, Freya Bell, Maisie Davies and Elan Jones joined by former students Seren Singleton, Gwen Crabb and co-captain Alex Callen

Every Cardiff Met BUCS Super Rugby fixture will be available to watch this season following the announcement of a new three-year broadcast partnership between British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) and Clubber TV. The agreement will see every fixture across both Men’s and Women’s BUCS Super Rugby broadcast throughout the season, giving supporters, families, alumni and rugby fans more opportunities to follow the Archers wherever they are. It represents a significant step

Cardiff Met student-athlete Elizabeth “Cookie” Cook marked a major milestone in her rugby journey by scoring on her senior international debut for the USA Women’s Eagles at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Cook, who studies Sport and Exercise Science at Cardiff Metropolitan University, came off the bench for the USA in their opening Test against South Africa as part of the Women’s Eagles’ historic two-Test tour. The match ended in a 34-21 victory for the Springbok Women, but for C

Cardiff Met student-athlete Elizabeth “Cookie” Cook has been selected in the USA Women’s Eagles squad for their historic two-Test tour of South Africa this summer. The selection marks another major step in Cooke’s international journey, with the Cardiff Met forward named among the squad travelling to face the Springbok Women in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Cook, who studies Sport and Exercise Science at Cardiff Metropolitan University, is listed by USA Rugby as one of the new

Cardiff Met’s influence across Welsh rugby will receive another national spotlight this weekend, with Archer alumnus Aaron Wainwright set to feature in S4C’s coverage of the Barbarians v Wales double-header at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. As part of the broadcast, S4C will include a feature looking back on Wainwright’s career so far and the teams, environments and people who have helped shape his journey. It is a story that includes an important chapter at Cardiff Met, wher

Cardiff Met student Freya Bell has continued her rapid rise in Welsh rugby after being named in the Wales Women squad to face the Barbarians Women at Allianz Stadium. Bell has been included in head coach Sean Lynn’s 33-player squad for the fixture on Saturday 27 June, which forms part of a double-header in London with Wales’ men’s senior side also facing the Barbarians. It marks another significant step in what has already been a whirlwind year for the Cardiff Met centre. Bel

Cardiff Met student-athlete Freya Bell marked a major milestone in her rugby career after making her senior Wales debut against England in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations at Ashton Gate. Bell, who studies BSc (Hons) Sport, Physical Education and Health at Cardiff Met, came off the bench in the 72nd minute as Wales faced the Red Roses in front of a record crowd in Bristol. England went on to win 62-24, continuing their remarkable winning run in the Championship, but Wales pro

Former Cardiff Met student Joe Lewis has been appointed performance analyst for the Springboks, adding another major chapter to an impressive career at the top level of international rugby. Lewis, who holds a master’s degree in performance analysis from Cardiff Metropolitan University, joins the South Africa management team ahead of a huge 2026 international campaign and with one eye firmly on the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The Welshman arrives in the Springboks set-up with a weal

Cardiff Met will be well represented in the 2026 Women’s Six Nations after 10 current students and alumni were named in Sean Lynn’s Wales squad for this year’s championship. Savannah Picton-Powell in action for Cardiff Met Wales have selected a 38-player group for the campaign, with Lynn opting for a fresh look squad that includes nine uncapped players ahead of the new four-year World Cup cycle. Among those selected are current Cardiff Met students Maisie Davies, Elan Jones a

Cardiff Met Rugby has announced a significant expansion of its coaching and performance team, with several new full-time roles being created across the men’s and women’s programmes. The recruitment drive comes following the recent announcement that long-serving Head Coach Dr Ian Gardner steps down from his role, marking the end of a successful period for the programme while opening the door to a new phase of investment and growth. The Cardiff Met Rugby Programme will introduc

Cardiff Met RFC has confirmed that Dr Ian Gardner will step down from his role as Head Coach, ending a significant chapter in the club’s recent history. Known to players and colleagues simply as “Gards”, Dr Gardner has played a central role in the development of the rugby programme at Cardiff Metropolitan University, combining his coaching responsibilities with his academic role as a Senior Lecturer in Sport, Physical Education and Health within the Cardiff School of Sport an