Cambridge twins take on famous rugby showdown

The rugby-obsessed twins will join their Cambridge University team mates at Twickenham for the annual Varsity Match on Thursday 12 December, with funds raised going to leading disability charity Leonard Cheshire.

 

Fiona will captain the Cambridge side, playing at flanker alongside Jenni. The 23-year-old sisters from Swansea already have an impressive record for the Light Blues of Cambridge against the Dark Blues of Oxford: two out of two Varsity victories at Twickenham.

 

Fiona describes winning a Varsity Match as ‘the best feeling in the world, and nothing will ever top an experience like that’. 

 

Jenni concurs:

‘It’s hands down the best day of your life playing Varsity – even when you break your nose while playing!

 

‘I had so much fun last year. They took me off for a while for a blood substitution and then I came back on. It was harder watching from the sides!’

 

Fiona is studying Veterinary Medicine at Pembroke College, while Jenni is studying Medicine at Churchill College.

 

After taking up rugby in their second year of studies, the Shuttleworth sisters are now experienced flankers who relish the chance to play in the same team. 

 

Fiona says:

‘We work well together. It’s great to have someone alongside you who you’ve always known will be there for you and completely understands the situation.

‘You get to enjoy it all and play together. That’s amazing.’

 

Jenni adds:

‘There’s a comfort in being on the pitch with someone I’ve known my entire life. To share the Varsity experience in such an intense sport as rugby is unique and really cool too!”

 

Cambridge University men’s and women’s teams both visited The Manor, a home for disabled adults in Brampton run by disability charity Leonard Cheshire. The charity is the main partner of the Varsity Match. 

 

Fiona recalls:

‘Visiting The Manor was a great experience. The whole team loved meeting people, chatting with them and spending time with them. We have a fantastic opportunity to support equality for disabled people, and raise money for the vital work that Leonard Cheshire does.

‘It will be great to have people from The Manor getting behind us at Twickenham.’

 

The women’s and the men’s Varsity Match are now part of the same famous occasion but Fiona and Jenni are among players who do not  take this for granted. The first men’s Varsity Match took place in 1872, while the first women’s Varsity Match took place in 1988. At the start, the women’s team could not wear the same kit as the men, nor use Cambridge’s Grange Road ground. The first women’s Varsity Match at Twickenham took place in 2015.

 

Fiona says:

‘It’s a huge honour for me to be captain, and we all have an amazing opportunity playing in this game.

‘It’s important to remember the history: the women who have gone before you and paved the way for you to play at Grange Road and then eventually to step out at Twickenham. For that reason I think it’s really important to enjoy the match.’

Fiona and Jenni each have their own matchday message written on their hands. Fiona’s message is ‘Hunt. Chop. Believe’ and she says the simple, motivational phrases ‘massively help me in rugby matches’. Jenni goes with ‘Head – ice. Body –  fire’, reminding her to stay in the moment without losing her innate energy.

In the lead up to the big day at Twickenham, a league match between the two rivals saw Cambridge Women beat Oxford Women 23-5.

Jenni says:

‘Every match I play for Cambridge is a tremendous experience. I’ve made friends here that I will have for the rest of my days. Every match those bonds are tightened further.’

Fiona could not agree more:

‘I’m very much committed to this team and rugby is something I absolutely love! Taking up rugby has been the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.’

Fiona and Jenni are not the only experienced players in the side for the Varsity Match 2019. Centre Bluebell Nicholls plays for Saracens, while current scrum half and 2018 captain Kate Marks has toured with the Lions. Lock forward and Varsity veteran Laura Nuñez-Mulder also returns to the team after a sabbatical. The women’s match kicks off at 11.30 at Twickenham followed by the men’s match at 3pm, with both games live on ITV4.

People from Leonard Cheshire services all across the UK will be watching the match. Residents at The Manor will be cheering on the Light Blues at Twickenham.

Media enquiries

For further information and hi-res photos, please contact Nick Bishop on nick.bishop@leonardcheshire.org or call 01202 747100 / 07889 976 267. Alternatively, contact the team on 020 3242 0399. Out of hours contact: 07903 949 388.