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.
Harlequins centre Rachael Burford will be part of the studio panel but will also join Simon Ward in the commentary box, bringing unique insight gained during a glittering career that spans four Rugby World Cups, including England’s historic win in 2014. Away from her successes on the pitch, Rachael co-founded the Girls Rugby Club, a global coaching platform specifically designed for girls. Rachael is a staple in the women’s premiership and has been one of the most successful players to transition to broadcasting.
Dr Anna Stodter is currently lecturing at Leeds Beckett University and conducts world-leading research into sport coaches’ learning and women’s rugby. She co-hosts the Coaching Discourse Podcast, a podcast in search of greater understanding of what sport coaching is. She had a successful career as a blindside flanker for the Premier 15s winning team Saracens in 2017 and 2018 and has 8 caps for Scotland Women. Anna was previously a member of the coaching team for CURUFC Women’s team, with five wins over seven years including their first ever Twickenham Varsity game in 2015.
The final member of our panel is Rocky Clark, the 2nd most capped England international, male or female, with 137 caps to her name.
Clark made her England debut in 2003 and was a member of the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup winning squad, having previously finished a runner-up in 2006 and 2010.
A third runners up medal came in 2017 and a year later she called time on her international career.
The prop was awarded an MBE in 2015 for her services to rugby and she joined Saracens in the summer of 2019 in a player-coach role with her focus on the coaching side as Forwards and Skills coach.
Rocky now works as a pundit/commentator and keynote speaker and is carving a way in the media. We look forward to hearing some invaluable insight from Rocky on game day.
We are certain that these three distinguished women will provide invaluable insight into the excitement and drama as it unfolds on Saturday, 25th March!
More info on how to watch here. Buy tickets to see the games in Twickenham here.
