Official Page of Oxford University Rugby - The OURFC Blues
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OURFC AND THE VARSITY MATCH
With the first Varsity Match being played in 1872, it is one of the world's longest running sporting fixtures. It represents the pinnacle of amateur and student rugby where two of the most prestigious universities in the world compete for the the title of Varsity holders. The relative length of a Varsity campaign compared to a conventional season is very short, culmina
ting in the ultimate finale, the big day at Twickenham. The journey to Twickenham is a unique experience, endowing every player, coach and supporter with many precious memories and a spectacle steeped in tradition, pride and a culture of excellence. Despite the sometimes inclement conditions, the Varsity match was traditionally played at 2.00pm on the second Tuesday in December. However since 2007 it was played on a Thursday, continuing to attract large crowds. The histories of both the Varsity Match and of rugby union are intertwined. Oxbridge rugby has been historically, and remains, at the forefront of the development and refinement of the game. Whilst Oxford and Cambridge are not professional teams, they remain a benchmark for the game through their promotion of the rugby's traditional values and ideals. As the pinnacle of amateur sport, the Varsity Match is a unique and unmissable sporting event. The Varsity campaign starts in September of each year, before the start of Michaelmas Term, with pre-season training and an overseas tour; an opportunity for the squad to get into winning ways and experience the hospitality of a foreign country. On their return the Blues will go head to head against a number of Premiership Clubs, some of the top rugby Universities in the country and in mid-November, the Major Stanley's XV. Traditionally the highlight of the Varsity build-up, the match against the Major Stanley's team sees the Blues come up against an invitational side for an evening of festival rugby. All the games and preparations build up to what is the defining moment, and highlight, of the season – the Varsity Match. The match epitomises the age-old rivalry between Oxford and Cambridge Universities and at the same time illustrates the continuing vitality and spirit of amateur rugby. The importance of the contest is highlighted by the enormous contribution Oxbridge rugby and the Varsity Match have made to the development and refinement of the game of rugby over the last 135 years. Up until 1875 the Universities fielded 20 players a-side, as was the norm for Rugby football in those early years. In that year, the Universities and their respective Blues took the initiative and changed to 15 a-side. This caught on quickly and was adopted as the international standard in 1877. Only a few short months after the first international rugby match, between England and Wales was played, the first ever Varsity Match between Oxford and Cambridge made its debut in February 1872 in Oxford's 'University Parks'. In that first match Oxford wore dark blue jerseys (the same as today, though at some stages they have worn white), and Cambridge played in pink, changing to their light blue and white in 1876 – and so the Dark and Light Blues were born. Ever since 1872, the Varsity has been played annually and is renowned as one of the most pulsating fixtures on the rugby calendar. The following year (February 1873) the return match was played in Cambridge on 'Parkers Piece'. In 1877 it was decided to move the match to a neutral ground and the Kennington Oval - scene of England's first home international fixture the previous year - was chosen. During the 1880s the Varsity Match was played at a variety of venues including the Rectory Field, the home of Blackheath F.C. In December 1887, the match was moved to Queen's Club in Fulham. The venue had only just opened and was considered to be the best sporting club in Europe. Queen's Club continued to be the venue until the outbreak of the First World War, when all rugby matches, including Varsity, were suspended. The Decembers of 1919 and 1920 again saw the Varsity Matches played at Queen's Club. However, by this time, it was becoming too small to accommodate the growing crowds, so, consequently, in December 1921, the Varsity Match was moved to the Rugby Football Union's ground at Twickenham where, except for the war years (when the match was played twice each year at Oxford and Cambridge respectively) it has been played ever since. There was a time when the hallowed Varsity fixture served as an unofficial trial, where selectors from the home nations eager to see how a talented youngster performed on the bigger stage, or whether a more established figure was in form at the Varsity. Over the years, more than 600 players from either Oxford or Cambridge have gained representative international honours. OURFC has provided a breeding ground for a number of international players, during its existence, and this can be seen from the recent 2003 Rugby World Cup, where five players who once donned the Dark Blue shirt represented their home nations: Simon Danielli (Scotland, Blue 2000, 2001), Kevin Tkachuk (Canada, Blue 2001, 2002, 2003), David Humphreys (Ireland, Blue 1995), Joe Roff (Australia, Blue 2006, 2007) and Anton Oliver (New Zealand, Blue 2008). The sole focus of each University, irrespective of the matches leading up to that moment when they stand side by side in the tunnel for the first time, is to win The Varsity Match. Oxford won the first Varsity Rugby match, and of the 129 matches played, Oxford have won 54, Cambridge 61, and 14 matches have been drawn, most recently in 2003. Today the match is watched by more than 30,000 spectators and over a million television viewers. Join us this year for the 130th Varsity Match, as we write another page to its proud history.
20/05/2026
We are delighted to announce a new three-year partnership between Oxford University Rugby Football Club and B4 one of Oxfordshire’s leading business networks.
This partnership brings together sport, business, and community, creating exciting opportunities both on and off the field. From our flagship events like Major Stanley’s to match-days at Iffley Road, we’re looking forward to connecting with over 300 businesses across the B4 network and building something meaningful over the coming years.
A big thank you to the wider B4 team for their support in bringing this partnership together.
We are sorry to report the death of M.J.K. ('Mike') Smith OBE, Blue number 616, on 17th May, 2026.
Mike went up to St Edmund Hall, University of Oxfordo read geography after his National Service. Having started his first-class cricket career with Leicestershire County Cricket Club whilst still a schoolboy at Stamford School he won 3 cricket Blues (1954, 1955 and 1956), and went on to captain Warwickshire County Cricket Club and England Cricket appearing in 50 test matches, half of which as Captain.
He also got 2 Rugby Blues ( #616) at full-back and fly-half in 1954 and 1955, when he formed an exceptional partnership with Welshman Onllwyn Brace ( #619), mesmerising defences with their extended scissor moves. Their winning performance in the 1955 Varsity Match secured each a place in the England v. Wales match at Twickenham in the 1956 Five Nations. Wales got the better of England that day, so much so that it proved to be Smith's only England cap, while Brace went on to win 9 caps for Wales. They were reunited as a half-back pairing on the combined Oxford & Cambridge tour to Argentina in August 1956.
After Oxford, where he was also President of Vincent's Club Smith continued his involvement in cricket, being Chairman of Warwickshire CCC, managing 2 England tours and becoming an ICC match referee. He was awarded an OBE for services to cricket in 1976.
Smith was the last man to represent England at both cricket and rugby union - the last so-called Dual International.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the many friends of this giant of Oxford sport.
Obituaries | OURFC
Showing our respects and maintaining the memory of those involved in OURFC during their lifetimes.
07/05/2026
Fantastic news! Teddy Hall have made it to the Men's Rugby Cuppers final! After a huge amount of hard work, commitment and team spirit throughout the competition, the team have made it to their first final in three years, so it’s a really exciting moment for the club.
They’ll be playing on Saturday 9 May at 18:00 at Iffley Road Sports Centre against Magdalen & Hildas, and would love as many people as possible to come down and support. Bring the noise and help them get over the line!
Cuppers Finals Day returns as the showpiece of Oxford college rugby, with four standout fixtures promising a high-quality end to the season’s competition. With college pride, silverware, and bragging rights all on the line, the stage is set at Iffley Road for a memorable day on
Saturday 9th of May.
Iffley Road, Rugby Ground
6pm, Mens Cup: St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford v Magdalen College, Oxford and St St Hilda's College, University of Oxford
Cuppers Finals Day returns as the showpiece of Oxford college rugby, with four standout fixtures promising a high-quality end to the season’s competition. With college pride, silverware, and bragging rights all on the line, the stage is set at Iffley Road for a memorable day on
Saturday 9th of May.
Iffley Road, Rugby Ground
4pm, Women*s Cup: Worcester College, Oxford, Pembroke College, Oxford, St Peter's College, Oxford and Somerville College v Jesus College, Oxford - Alumni, Lincoln College Oxford, Brasenose College, Regent's Park College, Oxford and Exeter College, Oxford
Cuppers Finals Day returns as the showpiece of Oxford college rugby, with four standout fixtures promising a high-quality end to the season’s competition. With college pride, silverware, and bragging rights all on the line, the stage is set at Iffley Road for a memorable day on
Saturday 9th of May.
Iffley Road, Rugby Ground
2pm, Men's Plate: Keble College, Oxford, Merton College, Oxford and Mansfield College, Oxford v Pembroke College, Oxford, Wadham College and Lincoln College Oxford
Cuppers Finals Day returns as the showpiece of Oxford college rugby, with four standout fixtures promising a high-quality end to the season’s competition. With college pride, silverware, and bragging rights all on the line, the stage is set at Iffley Road for a memorable day on
Saturday 9th of May.
Iffley Road, Rugby Ground
Midday, Men's Bowl: St John's College, Oxford and St Anne's College v Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, St Catherine's College, Oxford, Trinity College, Oxford and St Hugh's College
We are delighted to announce a new partnership between Oxford University Rugby Football Club and Merchant Taylors' School.
This exciting collaboration will help create meaningful opportunities for Merchant Taylors’ students both on and off the pitch, while strengthening the connection between school and university rugby.
Through the partnership, OURFC coaches will support player development at Merchant Taylors’ School, and MTS students will have opportunities to visit our Iffley Road facility, and prospective Oxbridge applicants will gain access to mentorship from current OURFC players.
We are hugely excited to see this relationship grow and look forward to welcoming more Merchant Taylors’ students into the OURFC environment in the future.
A special mention to Harry Bridgewater, recent Varsity winner and Merchant Taylors’ alumnus, alongside current OURFC members who continue to highlight the strength of the pathway between the two programmes.
01/05/2026
OURFC x In 2 Touch Rugby touch 🤝
We’re really pleased to announce a new partnership with In2Touch, a brilliant organisation doing fantastic work growing the game in an inclusive and accessible way.
This is a genuine two-way partnership. In2Touch will support our Corporate Clash Touch Tournament on Friday 26th June, helping us continue to build one of the standout events in the Oxford business calendar.
At the same time, OURFC will support the growth of the Oxford Touch Rugby League, with our players getting involved through playing, coaching, and refereeing keeping them connected to the game beyond Varsity while supporting the wider rugby community.
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