OXFORD University have teamed up with Magdalen College School to relaunch their rugby academy.

The venture for players aged eight to 15 gets under way at Iffley Road on Thursday, February 9.

Coaches include dual code Tongan international Tevita Vaikona, the school’s head of sporting relations and England Sevens cap Grant Seely, who is their head of rugby.

The eight-week course will have an emphasis on the under 11 and 12 age groups.

“We have joined forces with Oxfordshire RFU to give players at those age groups a curriculum designed to prepare them for county assessments in May,” said OURFC rugby development officer Andrew Highton.

The seven one-hour sessions cost £49, while a half-term day camp on February 16 is £25.

To apply for a place, e-mail andrew.highton@sport.ox.ac.uk

  • GUESTS at Bicester president John Deeley’s pre-match lunch raised almost £2,000 for the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance ahead of Saturday’s BB&O Premier Division clash with Stow-on-the-Wold.
  • OXFORD Rugby chairman Ron Macdonald is expecting a large attendance at Saturday’s National 3 South West clash between Oxford Harlequins and Redingensians.

The game will be preceded by a vice-presidents lunch at 1pm, with VPs from Oxford and Quins “most welcome”.

JUNIOR SCORERS Colts friendly: Bicester 17 (tries T Hammond 2, D Aslett; con Aslett), Newbury 25.

Under 15: Chinnor 41, Banbury 33 (tries H Saar 3, T Smith, S Jackson; cons S Manning).

Under 14: Banbury 28 (tries A Taylor 4; cons L Catania 3, G Barbeary), Brighton 19.

Under 13: Banbury 38 (tries D Brady 3, G Capel, O Gudge, R Shaw; cons M Catania 4), Wallingford 36.

Under 8: Banbury A 40 (tries H Nelson 2, W Robertson 2, J Hancock 2, C Davies & K Kinser), Old Northamptonians A 30.