St David’s Catholic College has announced a new affiliation with Cardiff University’s rugby programme, creating a clear pathway for talented young people in Wales to combine academic ambition with high-level rugby in the Welsh capital.
Through the affiliation, staff at St David’s and Cardiff University will work together to identify students with the academic ability and sporting potential to compete in BUCS Super Rugby. Those students will benefit from specialist on-field coaching, mentoring, and tailored guidance throughout the university application process.
“We are proud of the academic standards we set at St David’s, so collaborating with Wales’s only Russell Group university is a natural fit,” said Callum Hopkins, Head of Rugby at St David’s Catholic College.
“As our rugby provision continues to grow, our ambition is to become the academic destination for young men and women in Cardiff and the surrounding areas. By working with Cardiff University, we can offer talented athletes a clear pathway that enables them to thrive in the classroom and on the rugby field. Our honours programme already supports some of the brightest young minds in Wales, many of whom go on to study at the most prestigious universities in the UK.
“Too often, talented young Welsh students leave the country to study in England. If we can create more opportunities for them to stay in Wales, it will benefit Welsh rugby and the wider Welsh economy.”
In addition to rugby development, the collaboration will provide students with valuable support as they prepare university applications, helping them build confidence in the application and interview process. Chris Davies, Head of Rugby at Cardiff University was keen to state the potential impact on Welsh rugby as a whole.
“When we first met with the team at St David’s Catholic College, it quickly became clear that our values were closely aligned.
“Both institutions are passionate about developing ambitious young people and helping them fulfil their potential.
“We are proud to be Wales’s only Russell Group university, but we are equally proud of the role rugby plays in the student experience. This affiliation creates a pathway that allows talented young people to pursue an outstanding education while continuing to develop in a high-performance rugby environment. 
“Most importantly, it helps keep talented Welsh students in Wales, benefiting not only our institutions but also the future of Welsh rugby.”
Students involved in the programme will be expected to maintain strong academic performance throughout their time at St David’s, with the collaboration designed to complement their studies. The collaboration will begin ahead of the 2026–27 academic year, with the first students being identified and supported from October 2026.