Union’s Crocked Captains reveal their hopes for the Varsity
The Rugby Union match is Varsity’s curtain closer, staged in front of over 5000 vociferous fans. LS Sport chatted to Uni and Met captains to get an insight into how each team was fairing leading up to the big kick-off.Ollie Mellotte
Leeds Uni Rugby Union club captain

Shaking hands with club captain Ollie Mellotte, it is difficult to decide which causes him most pain; the physical hurt of a dislocated shoulder, or the psychological scarring of last season’s Varsity defeat.
Even on a humdrum Monday afternoon, there seems to be a rumble of anticipation at the mere sound of the University rugby union side readying themselves for this year’s showpiece event.
Having not played against the Met since that fateful evening, Uni players could be forgiven for considering their counterparts to be somewhat unknown quantities. However, the captain is fully aware of the challenge ahead, and is confident of succeeding, “They are a very strong side but there’s no reason why we can’t turn them over.”
There is ample reason for the bullish warning, as the first team look forward to a season in the BUCS Premier Division after last term’s promotion. As well as facing the likes of Loughborough and Durham, the University can also look forward to facing the Met twice. With this in mind, the Varsity match represents a greater significance for Mellotte.
“Our performance will be a very good gauge for how we will fare this season.”
As is the transient nature of a university team’s personnel, only five or so players remain from last season’s loss. Eager to move on from that disappointment, Mellotte sees an influx of new faces as a positive change.
“We weren’t really in the game last year so this is a fresh start.” And, after winning both warm-up matches against Sheffield and Manchester, the squad seem to be in similarly buoyant mood.
Although Mellotte is clearly excited about the derby, he is wary of the occasion’s side effects.
“We’d rather win the league and lose the Varsity match than vice versa. It can be seen as a bit of a distraction because it is hyped up so much.”
In stark contrast to the usual twenty or so spectators at Weetwood, a crowd of 5,000 at Headingley can sometimes hinder as much as inspire those involved. Mellotte points to such heightened exposure as a factor behind the disappointing result.
“A few players, especially the young ones, got shell shocked last year.” Mellotte and his fellow third-year team mates, who know what it feels like to beat the arch enemy, will hope to instil the belief required to emulate the 2006 triumph.
As the Hyde Park Pub simmers to a hush, I ask Mellotte about the relationship between the teams away from the pitch.
Apparently post-match mingling was scarce last year. Diplomatic enough not to incite any animosity, though, the captain affords himself a wry smile and reminds me, “There’s always a bit of rivalry!”

Ben Hooper
Leeds Met Rugby Union captain

Outside Leeds Metropolitan’s Union, rugby captain Ben Hooper poses for our photographer.
It’s clear that he’s someone who doesn’t take himself too seriously, as he’s happy to assume each ridiculous pose that we throw at him.
In a relaxed mood he talks of his confidence ahead of the Varsity match next week.
"We’re very confident, we’ve been training for about two and a half months. We’ve just got our own conditioning coach who is working with the guys and we’ve got more access to our physios and a coach from Leeds Carnegie coaching our forwards. We feel more prepared than we ever have before this year. We think this is going to be a good year for us."
The atmosphere at Headingley Stadium last year was electrifying and is something that Hooper sees as a positive for his team.
"It’s (the atmosphere) a big boost. It is such a massive thing. When you jog out on the pitch in front of 6,000 people all screaming and shouting and making loads of noise, and you know that most of them are your friends and people you know, it’s a great feeling. It lifts everybody."
After making his Varsity debut last season Hooper will have to suffer the heartache of sitting out through injury this year, though he still asserts that the Varsity is the most important part of his team’s season.
"Varsity is bragging rights for the year. Even if it means losing our league meetings with the University, we just want to win Varsity!"
When pressed to reveal Met’s game plan he is reluctant to give too much away although he treats us to a brief insight.
"Tactically, as long as this doesn’t get published too far away from the game—we’ve got a good forward pack so we’ll look to get stuck in and hit them hard and fast." In order to execute this strategy the Met have adopted an aggressive recruitment policy.
"There are a few academy guys joining us this week from Leeds Carnegie."
Whatever the result on Wednesday night Hooper is certain that each team’s honour will remain intact.
"There is a big rivalry but every year after Varsity when we’re all out there’s a mutual respect between us. We’ll have a few beers and a quick chat afterwards."
Before leaving, there is time for a stinging reminder of last season, "Look out because twenty-three nil last year was a bit generous."

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