South Wales Scorpions are hosting the first ever South Wales Varsity Rugby League match on Sunday 18th March when UWIC (Cardiff Metropolitan University) and Swansea will meet at The Gnoll in Neath (kick-off 3.15pm).
The "South Wales Rugby League Varsity Challenge Match" will be on the same day and venue as the Co-operative Championship 1 Rugby League match between South Wales Scorpions and Workington Town which kicks off at the earlier time as 1pm.
A day of events is being planned and it is hoped that students from both universities will descend on The Gnoll to cheer on the Scorpions and then their respective universities.
In addition to the two matches, there will be a sprint challenge between the two universities, which starts the day off at noon with two heats, with the final as well as a goal-kicking contest taking place at half-time of the Scorpions game.
Dancers and bands from the respective universities are also being planned as entertainment during the South Wales Varsity game.
Scorpions coach Dave Clark said: "We are delighted to be hosting the first ever South Wales Rugby League Varsity Challenge Match. It's wonderful that such a long tradition of rivalry between the two cities can now be extended to Student Rugby League and hopefully we can pack The Gnoll for both the Scorpions and Varsity games.
"We're playing against Workington early at 1pm to give them more travel time to return to Cumbria, so this creates a nice gap for the Varsity game to be played.
"I'm pleased we're calling it the South Wales Varsity game as we know that universities in North Wales also play Rugby League and perhaps this will pave the way for a similar game to be held in the North.
"Good luck to both sides on Sunday 18th March and we're all looking forward to an entertaining day."
Paul Horrocks, club president of the UWIC side said: "UWIC (Cardiff Met) are extremely pleased to be announcing this game alongside Swansea University and the South Wales Scorpions. It is a first for Rugby League in Wales and a first for UWIC in any sport.
"Both universities have worked particularly hard in the previous few years to build respectable and competitive teams. This will be a great occasion to show off all that hard work and hopefully provide a wonderful experience for everyone involved. It has the potential to be another step in the right direction for Rugby League and the student game in Wales. Long may it continue."
Deri Galvin, club president of the Swansea side said: "Students at Swansea are eagerly awaiting the inaugural South Wales Rugby League Varsity Match. The match caters for the growing interest in Rugby League in Swansea and will no doubt be an exciting spectacle in a fantastic environment.
"Whilst we are working hard to push aside the title of underdogs, we can rest safe in the knowledge that we will at least be the best looking team on the day. Long may it continue."
Advance tickets for students for the whole day priced at only £5 can be bought online by going to http://www.scorpionsrl.com/page.php?id=1108 or in person from the respective universities. Please see any one of the UWIC or Swansea Rugby League players for tickets, or visit the UWIC Student Union office in Cyncoed, or the Athletic Union office at Fulton House, Swansea University for contact details.
