- University Leagues in Scotland
Infobox sports league
logo=
pixels=250px
caption=
sport=Rugby union
founded=?
teams=28 Men's (six divisions), 8 Women's (one division)
country=SCO
champion=? University
rugby union in Scotland is predominantly organised through BUCS, the British Universities Sports Association. Unlike in England and Wales, where a pyramid system of 4 regions and a Premier above exists, the Scottish system is separate. However, Scottish universities do receive places in the end of season knock-out tournaments which decide overall British champions (see individual division entries below). However, due to the small size of the divisions (with clubs playing either 6 or 8 fixtures per season), some Scottish universities organise a relatively informal series of Universities Saturday Leagues (USL) to supplement the season. University rugby is separate from theScottish Hydro Electric League Championship .The following universities have teams playing elsewhere in Scottish Rugby:
*
Edinburgh University RFC play in Division One of theScottish Hydro Electric National Leagues .*
Royal Dick Veterinary College RFC , which is part of theUniversity of Edinburgh , play in Division Two of the Scottish Hydro Electric National League, East. They do not participate in BUSA or USL leagues.
*St Andrews University RFC andStirling University RFC play in Division One of the Scottish Hydro Electric National League, Caledonia.
*Aberdeen University RFC play in Division Two of the Scottish Hydro Electric National League, Caledonia.*
Edinburgh University RFC , 2nd XV play in Division Two ofThe Scottish 2nd XV League .
*Edinburgh University RFC , 3rd XV play in Division Four East (Edinburgh & South Section), ofThe Scottish 2nd XV League .*
Edinburgh University WRFC play in the Premier Division of theSWRU League . They do not participate in the BUSA league, although their 2nd XV does.
*Dundee University WRFC ,Glasgow University WRFC andThe Saints WRFC (St Andrews University) play in the First Division of theSWRU League .Scotland is allocated the current proportion of places in the BUSA end of season knock-out tournaments:
* 2 of the 16 places in the BUSA Championship
* 2 of the 16 places in the BUSA Trophy
* 2 of the 16 places in the BUSA Shield
* 2 of the 32 places in the BUSA Plate
* 8 of the 32 places in the BUSA Vase* 2 of the 16 places in the BUSA Women's Championship
A Scottish Universities Cup is also held, usually towards the end of the season.
=BUSA Scottish Conference, 2007-2008=
Promotion and relegation has usually been one up, one down, but with play-offs for teams at the top of the groups in Division 3 and Division 4. However, the system is changing for 2007-2008, although the arrangements have not yet been finalised.
BUSA fixtures are predominantly played on Wednesdays, as this is (traditionally) a university half-day, without afternoon classes.
Division 1
Top two teams in both pools advance to the BUSA Vase.
Division 4
Top two teams in both pools advance to the BUSA Vase.
=Universities Saturday Leagues, 2007-2008=
Being a relatively informal and ad-hoc creation, there is no established system of promotion and relegation for the USL.
Division 1
This arrangement will only be in place until Christmas (i.e. the league will be half a season).
Currently, no other divisions are known to exist.
=BUSA Women's Scottish Conference=
There is one organised women's university league, containing the following teams:
*
Aberdeen University WRFC
*Edinburgh University WRFC , 2nd XV
*Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh WRFC
*University of Dundee WRFC
*University of Glasgow WRFC
*The Saints WRFC (St Andrews University)
*University of Stirling WRFC
*University of Strathclyde WRFC "Details:" [http://www.busa.org.uk/fl/cv.asp?DivisionID=8618]Top two teams advance to the BUSA Women's Championship.
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.