We’ve got an outstanding team of rugby experts lined up for The Varsity Matches 2023, which takes place at Twickenham on Saturday 25th March. The fixtures will be broadcast on ViaPlay Xtra (available on Sky TV channel 422 and Virgin TV channel 533) and livestreamed via Facebook and YouTube. The expert panellists providing pre- and mid-match analysis for the Men’s Varsity Match are Tom Mitchell and Damian Hopley.
Tom Mitchell is one of England’s most successful Sevens Players, playing for England and representing Great Britain in the 2016 Summer Olympics, where they won a silver medal. Mitchell was captain for both teams. He debuted for England in 2012 and was the leading scorer in the 2013-2014 World Series. Mitchell played for OURFC in 2011 where he scored a try for the dark blues. He retired from international rugby after a very successful career in September 2022.
Damian Hopley MBE played for Cambridge in the 1992 Men’s Varsity Match and brought home the win in a close 19-11 result in Cambridge’s favour. A year later, whilst still studying at the university, he picked up a winners’ medal at the inaugural Sevens Rugby World Cup, as a member of the England team which included Lawrence Dallaglio, Matt Dawson and fellow Blue Andrew Harriman. Damian’s career was curtailed by injury and he went on to form the Rugby Players Association, the first union for professional players. His work with the RPA continues to shape the game and is at the forefront of player welfare.
Damian Hopley MBE
With a blend experience hailing from both shades of blue, our panel will be perfectly positioned to bring you their unique perspective on The Varsity Match experience.
More info on how to watch here. Buy tickets to see the games in Twickenham here.
