The Current State of Play: Rugby in Ipswich
Rugby union in Ipswich has never been short of passion, and the 2025/26 season gives supporters of both senior clubs plenty to follow, with form, milestone anniversaries, and a thriving women’s game all converging at once.
A Long History of the Game
Organised rugby in Ipswich stretches back to 1870, when Ipswich RFC first took to the field, making it one of the older clubs in the country.
The Eastern Counties Rugby Union, which governs the sport across Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, followed in 1890, embedding the city firmly within the regional structure.
Ipswich YM RUFC arrived in 1925, and the two clubs have coexisted as the city’s senior representatives ever since.
Two Clubs, One City
Both RFC and YM compete in Counties 1 Eastern Counties, fielding multiple men’s and women’s XVs alongside extensive junior sections.
Both clubs are affiliated with Northampton Saints and Loughborough Lightning, a pathway that has proven real: Lewis Ludlam came through RFC before captaining Saints, winning 25 England caps, and joining Toulon in 2024.
This season carries extra significance for YM, who are celebrating their centenary season after earning promotion last year, with a new pitch opened by the mayor of Ipswich, himself a former YM player.
How the Season Is Going
The current league table tells an interesting story, with Ipswich RFC sitting 7th, a position that speaks to a season of contrasts. Big wins over North Walsham II and Ely sit alongside a heavy defeat to table-toppers, Bury St Edmunds II.
YM, in their first season back after promotion, sit in 11th place despite a commendable 6/19 wins, and are evidently still finding their feet at this level.
The local derby between the two clubs remains, as ever, the fixture both sets of supporters circle first.
Women’s Rugby on the Rise
One of the more compelling stories in Ipswich rugby right now is the growth of the women’s game.
Ipswich RFC’s Scorpions won their league in 2023/24 and now compete in National Challenge 1 East, with a new head coach appointed for this season.
YM run the Wyverns alongside a girls’ junior section, showing a broader commitment to developing women’s rugby across both clubs and the area.
Looking Ahead
With YM’s centenary celebrations running throughout the season, RFC pushing for consistency, and the women’s game in good health, Ipswich rugby has plenty to shout about. For a city better known for football, the oval ball continues to hold its own.To stay up-to-date with everything rugby, from the international to the domestic leagues, follow RugbyPass.
Editorial supplied