Sponsored by Lloyds TSB, the two charities that will benefit from the event are Buds and SPARKS.  SPARKS funds medical research that helps babies to be born healthy and stay healthy.  Buds aims to highlight local sporting opportunities for people with any and all manner of disability.

Bristol University's teams are looking to repeat the success of last year, when the men defeated UWE for the first time in four years by 25-18, and the women also defeated UWE 10-0.

The varsity match has been an annual event for both universities since 1992 and usually attracts crowds of over 3,000.

There will be a free coach service to the match (only) from Churchill Hall and the Students' Union.

Steve Brindley, Athletic Union (AU) Chair, said: "The rugby varsity event is one of the highlights of the sporting calendar between Bristol's two universities.  This year will undoubtedly produce two exciting matches and keep spectators on the edge of their seats.

"We look forward to welcoming local people to the match and hope we can make the event one for the city to be proud of.  It would be great if we can repeat last year's success!"

Tickets cost £5 and are available from the AU office, Students' Union, Queen's Road, the Union shops, Queen's Road and Stoke Bishop, and members of both university rugby clubs.

Gates open for the Lloyds TSB Rugby Varsity match, Memorial Ground, Filton Avenue, Bristol, at 5.30 pm.

The women's match kicks off at 6 pm and the men's match at 7.30 pm

The free coach will pick-up from Churchill Hall, Stoke Park Road, Stoke Bishop at 5 pm and from the Students' Union, Queen's Road at 5.15 and 6pm.

There will be a happy hour between 6 and 7 pm at the Memorial Stadium.