Sports Editor Joel Lim and Staff Writers Ethan Tchitchiama, Richan Drever and Kamal Maru provide a rundown of the closing fixture of the London Varsity Series 2026.
History of the Fixture
Historically, the rugby fixture has always been one of the most attended fixtures in the Varsity series. In fact, as the first ever varsity fixture between King’s and UCL, this historic game influenced the creation of the Varsity series that features over 50 teams today. As such, from the very first game in 2004, this rivalry has remained a key Varsity fixture that both King’s and UCL students have great memories of. The game is played at a stadium with a large capacity, accommodating upwards of 2000 spectators. This year’s game, no different, was held at Ealing Trailfinder’s Rugby Club and hosted over 3000 students.
The Varsity rugby match has seen incredibly close and competitive games, including last year’s fixture, where UCL narrowly took the game on the last play of the game. The atmosphere at these games has also been nothing short of electric, as students from both universities flood the stands in die-hard support for their teams.
In recent times, UCL has achieved more success in Varsity rugby, having won every game since 2016. This has been a key source of motivation for the Reds, who have spent months preparing for this fixture, one that they consider to be the most important game of their season. This was evident from the outset, as the team stepped on the field with unbridled confidence and their heads up high.
First Half
Under the Ealing Trailfinders floodlights, the Men’s Varsity rugby clash between King’s and UCL opened with all the ferocity and noise the rivalry demands. The stands were packed well before kick-off, with chants and drums from both sets of supporters turning the ground into a wall of sound as the players emerged. From the first whistle, tackles flew in and both sides kicked for territory, testing each other’s back three under the high ball but struggling to string together phases in the wet conditions.
The early exchanges were cagey, with neither team willing to overplay inside their own half. KCL earned the first real opportunity after a prolonged spell of pressure, drawing a penalty in UCL territory, but the attempt at goal drifted wide, leaving the scores level. That miss only seemed to sharpen the contest, as UCL’s forwards carried hard around the fringes while King’s scrambled well in defence, repeatedly halting drives just short of the 22. The atmosphere in the stands rose with each collision, both sets of fans sensing that the first score would be crucial in a fixture that had begun at a bruising tempo.
It was UCL who finally broke the deadlock around the half-hour mark, capitalising on a rare lapse in the KCL line to punch through and dive over for the opening try. The conversion sailed wide, but the Euston side had seized a 5-0 advantage and briefly quietened the red half of the ground. King’s response was immediate and emphatic: working back upfield from the restart, they tightened their structure, built phases off scrum and line-out ball, and eventually found space out wide to crash over for a try of their own. The successful conversion swung the momentum and the scoreboard, sending KCL into the tunnel 7-5 ahead at half-time in a tense, low-scoring first half that felt finely poised for the minutes to come.
Truthfully, the narrow margin at the interval reflected just how little separated the sides across the opening forty minutes. UCL’s set-piece was solid and their early try showcased the direct, abrasive carrying that has underpinned their recent Varsity dominance, but they struggled to convert possession into further points against an organised red defensive line. KCL, meanwhile, fed off turnovers and broken-field opportunities, gradually growing into the contest as their half-backs began to pull the strings and kick intelligently in behind. As the players headed back down the tunnel, the sense around Ealing Trailfinders was that this was a match that could swing either way, with the first score after the restart likely to prove decisive.
Second Half
After a first 40 minutes spent with both teams in deadlock, the game sprang to life immediately in the second half. UCL began applying pressure on the King’s defence, camped in their 22 in the opening five minutes. Eventually, the line was broken, and the opposition were in for their second try of the derby, which was promptly converted to put the Lions behind again at 12-7.
From that point on, King’s were struggling to recover possession, and were put on the back foot by the men in purple. The Lions conceded again at the 55th minute, off a line-out, as UCL took control of the fixture, 19-7. UCL, with all the momentum, kept probing away at the Lions, reaping the rewards with a well-worked try to make it 24-7 with the conversion. King’s adversaries were beginning to pull away from them, and they could’ve easily let the tide take at this point in the game.
Instead, they took the game to them, regaining possession and having a positive spell in the UCL half. Eventually, the backs took control of the narrative, with substitute Luca Suzuki (#22) breaking through the line and breezing through past three defenders, diving down for King’s second try of the game. A stunning conversion by Nico Razmilovic (#10) bounced off the crossbar and through, and the KCL fans had something to shout back at their rivals. With the wind in their sails, King’s won the ball back and applied pressure on the opposition 5. After patient buildup, a pick-and-go try got the Lions over the line and within a converted try of UCL. Belief was restored to the KCL faithful as the atmosphere rose again, with a comeback possibly on the cards with a minute to go.
As UCL kicked off, the clock ticked past 80 minutes, and King’s were in the red zone: a knock on or forward pass ended the game then and there. The tension could be felt all around the ground with KCL probing at the halfway line. Eventually, a penalty call for offside sent the Lions back into the UCL 22. Phase after phase, the King’s fans cheered their players on as the UCL defence held firm. At some point, UCL won the ball back, and it looked like the end of the game, but King’s recovered possession and the onslaught continued.
This could have been the moment KCL won Varsity after 10 years of hurt. After what seemed like an eternity spent around the five-meter line, the defenders turned the ball over, kicking the ball into touch and forcing the game to end. UCL jubilant, King’s deflated. The Lions sank to the ground in despair, but the crowd applauded their valiant effort. The final whistle went on Varsity 2026, which had been enthralling from beginning to end. So close yet so far for KCL, who will have to go again next year for another shot at bragging rights over their London rivals.
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