Emilia Bushrod, Captain of the Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club, is preparing for the eagerly-anticipated rematch against Oxford University at StoneX Stadium. The team is motivated by the disappointment of last year’s defeat and is eager to reverse the outcome in this weekend’s clash.
In reflecting on last year’s loss, Bushrod described the experience as arduous and emotionally taxing. In her capacity as captain, she felt it necessary to maintain a stoic facade and keep the team motivated despite her internal struggles. The defeat has fueled their determination to secure a triumph in the upcoming match, with the aim of avoiding similar feelings of disappointment at the end of the game.
Despite facing challenges such as mid-season coaching changes and difficult results, the team’s appointment of Will Cotterill as head coach last summer has brought stability and positive performances. Bushrod attributes the team’s enhanced performance and the creation of a more stable environment to Cotterill, which has enabled her to focus on improving her game as a player.
The upcoming match against Oxford carries added significance as it inaugurates a new era, with the esteemed fixture now being held at the StoneX Stadium in north London. Bushrod perceives this change as a positive development, acknowledging the support of Saracens in making it a memorable occasion and underscoring the team’s readiness to adapt to the 3G pitch at the new venue.
The team’s preparations have been comprehensive, and Bushrod is confident that they are well-prepared to deliver an enthralling and fast-paced game, given their experience with playing on artificial pitches. The change in venue and surface, though different from the traditional setting at Twickenham, has only strengthened their resolve to emerge victorious in this historic rivalry.
As captain, Bushrod remains steadfast in her focus on leading her team to success, drawing strength from the lessons of the past and the unwavering determination to secure a triumphant outcome in the upcoming Varsity Match.