Hitchin Rugby Club
English rugby union club, based in Hitchin, Hertfordshire
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hitchin Rugby Club is a rugby club based in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.
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| Full name | Hitchin Rugby Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Union | Hertfordshire RFU | ||
| Founded | 1954 | ||
| Location | Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England | ||
| Ground(s) | King George V Playing Fields, Old Hale Way, Hitchin, SG5 1XL | ||
| Chairman | Peter Tasko | ||
| President | David Marshall | ||
| Coach | Gary Ayres | ||
| Captain | Ruiri Shanahan | ||
| League | Counties 1 Hertfordshire | ||
| 2025-26 | 3rd | ||
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| Official website | |||
| www | |||
The men's side currently play in Counties 1 Hertfordshire – a league at the 7th level of the English rugby union system – following their promotion from London 3 North West in the 2021–22 season. The women's side 1XV plays in NC1 (East) as of 2024, and previously played in Championship 2.
Formation
The club was formed in 1954.[1] Highlights have included playing at Twickenham in the final of the national Junior RFU Cup in 1993,[2] and the establishment of the country's first Academy.[citation needed] The club received the RFU 'Club Seal of Approval' in 2012.[3]
The women's team was founded in 1992.
Men's rugby
Hitchin's 1st XV competes in the Counties 1 Hertfordshire league following the club's promotion from London 3 North West at the end of the 2021–22 season. Hitchin's 2nd XV competes in the Counties 2 Hertfordshire league following the club's promotion from Counties 3 Hertfordshire at the end of the 2025-26 season. Hitchin's 3rd XV competes in the Counties 3 Hertfordshire league following admission to the RFU league system for the 2026-27 season. Hitchin finished the 2018–19 season as champions of Herts/Middlesex 1, returning to London 3 North West at the first attempt.[4]
Women's rugby
The Ladies 1XV team currently play in Women's NC 1 East, the fourth tier of Women's rugby.
Youth rugby
| Founded | 1992 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England | ||
| Ground(s) | King George V Playing Fields, Old Hale Way, Hitchin, SG5 1XL | ||
| Chairman | Womens' Section: Holly Watson | ||
| Coach | Chris "Lofty" Watts | ||
| League | Championship 2 (until 2024/25) NC1 East (2025-26) | ||
 Current season | |||
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The Mini and Youth Section was founded in 1988.[5] The section currently has a membership of over 650, running teams for boys and girls aged 5-18.
Notable players
Dan Wiggins, Danish national team[6]- Ben Wiggins, Danish national team[6]
Honours
- Hertfordshire 2 champions: 1988–89
- Herts/Middlesex 1 champions (2): 2004–05, 2018–19[7]
- Counties 3 Hertfordshire champions: 2025-26 (2XV) [8]
- Hertfordshire Presidents' Trophy winners (2): 2005, 2026