The 2023 BUCS Super Rugby final takes place on Wednesday as league winners Loughborough square off against reigning champions Exeter at the StoneX.
Loughborough will be looking to complete the historic league and cup double, a feat that has only been achieved once before.
The African Violet haven’t lost since January and last week’s chaotic semi-final win over Bath sees them ride an eight-game winning streak heading into this week’s final.
Head coach Martin Webdale understands the physical threats Exeter possess and that his side must be at their best if they’re to lift the title. He said: “Exeter are a really wellcoached team, they’ve got some outstanding individuals and a really good team ethic as well.
“They’ll bring physicality and a great kicking game and they’ve got some really good outside backs that are dangerous, so we’re going to have to be 100 per cent on it.”
Loughborough director of rugby Rhys Edwards added: “I think going into this week we’ve got to look at ourselves more than anything. Having an awareness on Exeter is one thing but ultimately we’ve got to make sure we focus on ourselves and ensure that we’re fresh enough to go in and deliver on that.”
Meanwhile, Exeter are hunting for their fourth BUCS title and are in a similar vein of form to Loughborough, having won their past six games.
The reigning champions finished just one point behind Loughborough in the league standings and beat them 44-28 in their round 11 encounter.
Exeter captain Ollie Leatherbarrow said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that we’ve come through a pretty tough season to make the final.
“We’ve certainly had our adversity this season, we’ve lost more games than we normally would.
“I’m just unbelievably proud of the character we’ve shown and hopefully that will show at the StoneX.”
Meanwhile, Exeter and Hartpury women will make up the double-header as they face off in the final of the Women’s National League.
Hartpury’s only loss this season came to Exeter back in November, while the Devonians are aiming to become the first team to win the league the season after gaining promotion.
Promo photo credit: BUCS Super Rugby
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