Blues University Cup

A new tournament launched by Cardiff Blues will give university students from across the South Wales region the chance to compete against each other and win valuable funding for equipment.

The Blues University Cup will be played between teams from Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan, Cardiff Medicals RFC and the University of South Wales.

With a healthy rivalry already in place between the university rugby sides, the 15 a side competition will see the winner being crowned the inaugural Blues University Cup champion, claiming a of £2,500 worth of Gilbert equipment.

All matches will be 40 minutes long and played at the Arms Park in early October 2013.Tickets will be priced at £5 for the whole day and available through university outlets. Each university will keep 50% of the tickets sales, enabling them to generate revenue that can be ploughed back into their sporting sections.

Martyn Fowler, Cardiff University, who will be fielding teams from the University and Cardiff Medicals said: "There has never been a better time to be studying at a HE or FE institution in Wales than at the moment. We have the College Cup series, the largest student event in Wales in the Welsh Varsity match and now the inaugural Blues University Cup. This is a competition that I am sure will provide a shop window for the brightest young talent at the four competing institutions. Without doubt this competition will grow and become a genuine must-attend event in the annual rugby calendar."

Dr Tudor Williams, Director of Sport at the University of South Wales said:"This is a fantastic initiative from the Blues and a superb opportunity for students to play at one of the most famous rugby stadiums in Europe. By the autumn the Blues will have their new artificial pitch and we are delighted to be invited to participate in this competition. The timing is also excellent. It will be at the end of the trials at the beginning of the new term and just a week before the start of the BUCS Leagues. We are really looking forwards to the competition."

Chris Davey of Cardiff Metropolitan University added: "Cardiff Met is delighted to be involved in this initiative and see this as a major step forward in strengthening links between the Blues and their university Rugby Clubs. This tournament will give all of the institutions an opportunity to showcase university rugby and will be a great experience for everyone involved."