Friday Night Lights Preview: Warwick set to take to Butts Park in biggest rugby event of the year

With Friday Night Lights set to take place later this afternoon, The Boar Sport spoke to both the men and women’s rugby teams ahead of the competition, as they offered us an exclusive preview of the day’s events.
Both teams expressed their excitement at the opportunity to play in an arena, saying this certainly adds to the atmosphere of the day and encourages them to play at their very best, thanks to the support of a larger crowd than is typically present at matches.

Oscar Letch, the men’s first XV Captain explained that, “The opportunity to play at Butts Park definitely adds a bit more to the occasion, and its something we are really excited about,” later adding, “We try not to let the venue change how we actually prepare for the game, but walking out into a stadium like that definitely gives everyone a massive lift.”

The men’s side will be facing Oxford Brooke’s 1’s, who challenged Warwick in an immensely tight 6-point game last time the two sides faced one another

Women’s rugby expressed similar sentiments, claiming that while there may be some extra nerves and pressure going into Friday’s match, “it’s mainly excitement,” and that “we think the energy from the crowd supporting Warwick is going to hype us up to play some amazing rugby.” They too added that there have been no major changes to their prep ahead of the match.

Both teams are facing tough fixtures this afternoon, with the women facing University of Leicester 1’s, who were demoted from the league above last season and are currently battling for second place in the league. Last time these two teams faced one another Warwick were “tested” by Leicester, but eventually came away with the win, with the squad claiming, “we have only gotten better as a team since.”

The men’s side will be facing Oxford Brooke’s 1’s, who challenged Warwick in an immensely tight 6-point game last time the two sides faced one another. Even despite the tough competition, both sides insist they are ready and raring to go!

As far as injuries are concerned, the women’s team have no injury concerns or any other general setbacks, while the men have reported having their fair share of injuries throughout the season. However, thanks to their impressive squad depth and the fact that so many of the players are willing to step up when called upon, they are “fully confident in the group we’re putting out on Friday”.

The day’s events will follow a similar format to November’s TOUCHDOWN event, which saw the Warwick Wolves take on NTU Renegades, also at Butts Park. This is part of a Warwick Sport initiative to try and increase support from students at Warwick BUCS fixtures. Louis Gosling, VP for Sport has previously told The Boar during that “match engagement” was “a massive point in future stages” of their new marketing strategies.

We just hope that everyone will come down to support us! It will be a great day out and hopefully the first FNL of many

Warwick Women’s Rugby

The fixture has been advertised all over social media, both on the Team Warwick Instagram account, and both clubs’ profiles too. Tickets are just £6, and benefits such as £4 pints and a free shuttle from campus have been clearly advertised in order to encourage support from fellow Warwick students. There will also be halftime performances from Warwick Devils (cheerleading) and Warwick CMD (Classical and Modern Dance) in order to keep spirits high throughout the day.

With the women set to kick off at 4pm and the men at 7:30pm, today is sure to be a day full of excitement, with an amazing atmosphere. Women’s rugby added to their earlier comments, saying, “we just hope that everyone will come down to support us! It will be a great day out and hopefully the first FNL of many.”

It will therefore be interesting to see how successful this afternoon’s event will be, and whether or not FNL does become an annual event. Either way, come down to Butts Park later today for some brilliant sporting action, or keep an eye on our socials and website for our match reports, which will be posted over the weekend!