The Southern Cross University Gold Rats are back from a hiatus from Far North Coast Rugby Union.

The Gold Rats have struggled to field teams in recent years due to dwindling numbers of students on campus due to COVID restrictions, with their last competition match played in August 2020.

The club has a rich history in FNC Rugby Union and it is exciting to see the club get to a stage where they can play a trial match this weekend.

The fixture against Kyogle was an annual event until the Gold Rats could not field a team pre-COVID, but numbers have been positive since pre-season training commenced in January.

A good intake of students during "O-Week" at the University has boosted the clubs numbers.

The trial against Kyogle will be played at Maurie Ryan Oval at SCU commencing at 6:30pm on Saturday 18 March, with bar and bistro facilities available from the deck overlooking the ground.

Sanctus Brewing have come on board to support the club in the 2023 season and will run a number of promotions on the day.

Several events have been organised throughout the season, with the 30 year anniversary of the 1993 Premierships a highlight.

The club last won a First Grade Premiership in 2002 and it will be a steady building phase to get the club back to it's former glory days but the committee is conscience of the task at hand and is looking forward to the rebuild.

Club training for both seniors and juniors has included regular sessions throughout March with coaching legends, ex-Wallabies and England Assistant Coach Scott Wisemantel and former Gold Rats legend Sean Hedger.

Current Waratahs Coach Darren Coleman will also make an appearance this year at the 1993 reunion, a team he was a part of.

The club will also field junior teams in an upcoming junior tournament in Lennox Head in early April, something that the club is looking to build on in the 2023 season.