Exeter University winger Benjy Joseland is hoping his side can go back-to-back and secure another BUCS Super Rugby title.
The 21-year-old scored ten tries in total last season for Exeter Uni’s Wednesday and Saturday teams with the former triumphing 48-44 against Loughborough University in a 13-try thriller in the BUCS Super Rugby final at the Stone X Stadium.
Joseland, who is entering his final year, believes his side has what it takes to lift silverware once more while also helping the Saturday team build on their ninth place finish last season.
He said: “I’m very much looking forward to the new season. It’s weird having a lot of new boys in but it’s exciting and I definitely think we can go back to back. It should be a fun season to be a part of.
“I’ve loved it here. You get a good mixture between good quality rugby but you’re also enjoying yourself at the same time, having socials and everyone buys in. There’s a good team cohesion within the first two teams. The BUCS team is just one big squad and it’s class to be involved in.
“The Saturday team keep developing and we’ll be looking to hold our own again next season in National Two.”
With a lack of finances in English rugby, more younger players are going through the BUCS system to play a high standard of rugby while still attaining a degree. Joseland, below, who is studying business management and looking to go into real estate, thoroughly recommends his pathway to tyro players.
He said: “BUCS Super Rugby is amazing. Some of the crowds at games are better than Premiership clubs. If you look at our Varsity games and the final, they’ll make more noise than a lot of other bigger crowds. A lot of people are getting professional contracts off the back of BUCS rugby which shows it’s working.
“It’s vital to have that Plan B. There’s no harder time to get a playing contract, so if you can get a degree alongside playing a good standard of rugby then it’s a win-win.”
Joseland spent time in his first year training with Premiership side Exeter Chiefs and despite finding it a step up in intensity, he enjoyed the professional environment.
He said: “It was good, I did half a season there in my first year and then preseason in my second year. It was tough but a good environment to be in. You can see why they’ve been so successful in the last few years as the training sessions were really flat out. Particularly last year, the calibre of players they had was really impressive.” Joseland, who weighs 14st 10lbs and is 6ft 2ins, is trying to improve his game by taking inspiration from powerful Exeter wingers Olly Woodburn and
Jack Nowell. He added: “In the past year I’ve been looking at Olly Woodburn from an Exeter point of view. He’s got threats around the park and is really good in the air. He’s a powerful carrier who’s strong, stays on his feet and makes line breaks for fun.
“I’m looking to improve on my kicking game and staying hungry a bit like Jack Nowell where you’re popping up around the park, making an impact in different areas of the field.”
