Men’s Performance Rugby

At Loughborough, we are proud to maintain and continually enhance one of the most respected university rugby pathways in the world. Our mission is to develop well-rounded individuals and deliver a life-changing experience, ensuring players thrive both on the pitch and beyond it.

Loughborough Rugby offers a unique and high-level playing experience, with our Performance teams competing in both RFU National 2 West (Tier 4 of English Rugby) and BUCS Super Rugby - the highest level of university rugby in the UK.

Our rugby programme benefits from a formal partnership with the Rugby Football Union (RFU), alongside strong working relationships with England 7s and several Premiership clubs. These connections give our players access to outstanding development and progression pathways.

Alongside our core playing offer, we actively encourage and support additional opportunities for our athletes; whether that’s training with Premiership or Championship clubs, gaining experience within England Men’s senior training environments, or pushing for representative honours at U20 level.

We have alumni currently signed at every Premiership club, with current players involved at 9 out of 10 Premiership teams, highlighting the strength and reach of our player development pathway.

Student-athletes within the programme train and compete in some of the best facilities in the world. This professional environment enables players to push their limits, refine their game, and reach their full potential while pursuing academic excellence at one of the UK’s leading universities.

Benefits

Minimum of 1 game per week

Home games played on the IRB international standard Rugby Rubber Crumb 1st XV Pitch

3 team training sessions

3-4 weekly tailored strength and conditioning sessions at Powerbase Gym

1 on 1 skill clinics

Team and individual video and data performance analysis sessions

Comprehensive Performance Support, including access to physiotherapy, nutrition, psychology, physiology, and more

Performance Lifestyle support to help you balance elite sport with academic success

Scholarship opportunities for athletes who demonstrate exceptional talent and commitment

Our star alumni

Rugby Union

Professional Rugby player at Leicester Tigers 2019 – present, winning the Gallagher Premiership in 2022. He also has 31 caps for England, winning England Men’s Player of the Year Award and Premiership Young Player Award 2021/2022.

Rugby Union

For the 2019-2020 season he played for Wasps before moving to Toulouse in 2020, where he still plays now. In 2022 and 2025 he won the Six Nations with France.

A photograph of men's rugby player Charlie Titcombe

Since arriving I’ve understood why Loughborough is recognized as one of the best rugby programmes in the country. As a collective we are all so close but more importantly it’s a passionate, professional environment where players and staff are striving to be the best in whatever they do which is really what stands out for me, it’s a winner’s environment. Staff understand the commitments that the rugby programme has and can make around them if you are willing to put in the work.

Charlie Titcombe
BSc Sport and Exercise Science

Coaching staff

Martin is a level 4 coach, who has coached for over 15 years at a variety of levels as well as previously being a Director of Sport.

Alex looks after the backs and attack elements in the BUCS Super Rugby group. He has played at a high level and coached both the university game and in the Championship previously.

Anthony is a former England international player and coach. He also played as centre 126 times for Leicester Tigers - after retiring from playing he went on to coach Tigers Academy and their first team.

Brad is a highly qualified coach and has moved from focusing on the Loughborough Lightning squad to being Head Coach in National 2 West.

James has progressed through the Loughborough University coach development programme and looks after the backs and attack in the National League squad as well as being BUCS 2 Head Coach.

Prospective students

For more information about the team, programme, or general queries, please get in touch, and a programme staff member will respond.

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Performance Men's Rugby is sponsored by

A-Z of sports

Men’s Performance Rugby

Benefits

Our star alumni

Freddie Steward

Thibaud Flament

Coaching staff

Martin Webdale

Alex White

Anthony Allen

Brad Jones

James Peters

Prospective students

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