I am a graduate of the University of Glamorgan, now known as South Wales. I played for the Uni and hated it. I graduated two years ago so things may have changed, but when I was there, there were three teams with tryouts at the start. It's true that there are well over hundred, maybe two hundred, guys that tryout, with the trials lasting a week or two. They select the three sides from that, so lots of guys don't make the cut - and to be honest lots of bad players get through and lots of good ones get cut.
I personally didn't do trials in first year (because I wanted a break) and only a part of the trials in second year (I was travelling) so I can't tell you what to expect with that. Firstly it is really expensive to play for them, over £100 for fees. You do get the full playing kit (shorts, socks and top) and warm up and social shirt but it is wild expensive, especially for students. Training is on a Monday night down at the Uni sports grounds, which are really well equipped - but expensive to use by yourself - and games are on a Wednesday with a 2.30 kick off.
My first game, at the end of first year after my break, was for the thirds. The first impression I got was that by mid season, between injuries, drop outs and being lazy, the teams struggle early on. And of course all the players that are cut at the start of the year refuse to come back and play, I was asked by a class mate to play so I wasn't one of the alienated guys, which there are many. The third level is pretty awful, I got man of the match after most of the season off, and picked up a man of the match award in the last game of the season with the 2nds - which is better.
In second year, I did some of the trials and got placed in the seconds. Which I had no problem with, as I was planning on pushing my way on up. But I quickly realised that this was never going to happen. The uni teams are so clicky you wouldn't believe. If you don't play with certain clubs in the valleys, who the coaches also coach, and don't fall in with the right boys in the teams, then you will never move up, or down. I just stopped training and stopped showing up for matches after the half way point of the season and I was still getting called on a Wednesday to play. Never a chance of moving up or getting dropped down. The captains as well are picked by the players which are more popularity contests rather than genuine leadership skills, our captain was useless, but he was one of the boys and popular, though he couldn't pass off his left. Also he decided where he played, which I promise you was not No.8 but he got called up to the firsts because, like I said, he was in that click.
The rugby itself is really fast and for the best part clean. Referees are decent and there are regular games. But for me I played the worst rugby of my 'career' with the uni. I ended up just playing for clubs in the local area which are much fun, cheaper and overall better. In third year I played for Bargoed which I really enjoyed. There are millions of clubs around that area, such as Bargoed, Beddau and so on that all play to a high level.
That's all I can remember for now, but will post other stuff if I remember. Any other questions just ask.
