Acknowledged as the equal oldest rugby club in the North East of Scotland,[citation needed] (founded in 1871),[citation needed] AURFC has had a long and successful history producing both Scotland and British Lions players.

It was not until 1882 that AURFC affiliated to the Scottish Rugby Union, it was the 17th club to join the SRU structure and the first club north of Edinburgh to join after the University of St Andrews RFC, which is one of the founder members of the Scottish Rugby Union.

This resulted in the club being removed from the SRU league structure and forced to start from the bottom division.

The real halcyon period for AURFC was in the 70's when under the tutelage of Mal Reid they dominated University rugby in Scotland winning seven championships and providing countless players and captains for Scottish Universities.

The club throughout history has boasted some impressive individual rugby players and have represented Scotland and the British and Irish Lions.