The Countdown to the huge Welsh Varsity game is very much underway! Last season's clash between Swansea University and Cardiff University took place in front of over 14,000 fans at the Millenium Stadium, attracting an audience of 132,000 across the UK as it was broadcast on TV channel S4C.

This year's game takes place at the same venue on Wednesday 2nd May, and preparations are already underway as these great rivals prepare to do battle once again. Welsh international - and Swansea alumnus - Alun Wyn Jones, has been putting the team through their paces, and is as passionate for the 'green and white' as ever! He played in the Varsity game of 2005, as Swansea ran out 16-8 winners at Brewery Field in Bridgend, and he has fond memories of the game.

"It's a good stepping stone between intermediate rugby and senior rugby," he said. "I'm fortunate enough to play for Wales at the Millenium Stadium, but to play there for the University side would have been very special back then if I hadn't achieved all that I have achieved."

"It's one of those stadiums where you may not have capacity crowds, but you are lucky because you can have the roof closed, and especially with 16,000 university fans, it can be very loud. I think you'll see a lot more people there this year, especially with the standard of rugby the lads played last year."

"It's a great occasion, take the boys who played in it last year, they served the occasion well and the rugby they played was pretty outstanding. To play there with a university side at a younger age is huge."

The Welsh lock is a regular at the showdown with Cardiff University, and he's hoping he'll be free to witness what is sure to be a great game.

"If I'm available, then definitely, I've been to every one since I've played, I always like to come and watch it."

Thanks to Christopher Penn, Head of AU Media at Swansea Uni, for sharing this great story. Find out more about the goings-on at Swansea by visiting www.suaumedia.com