OURFC Blues

Official Page of Oxford University Rugby - The OURFC Blues

Keep up to date with all things Dark Blue

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.

Photos from The Ian Williams Foundation's post

25/08/2026

19/08/2026

We're excited to invite the following teams to Iffley Rd in the coming months to play our Men's Blues.

Leicester Tigers
Richmond Rugby
Harlequins Rugby Union
Trinity CollegeRugby
Penguin International Rugby Football Club

Men's Blues fixtures preview 26/27 n.b Women* s Blues fixtures are being finalised and will be published in the coming weeks. We are thrilled to announce the Michaelmas Men's Blues Fixtures for the upcoming 26/27 season.While Reed Prinsep prepares his team for the pending season, Iffley Road prepares for seven bumper fixtures. Famili...

15/08/2026

We are deeply sorry to receive news that Nigel Quinnen (Blue #786) has passed away.

John Webster has added some fond recollections of the Dark Blue on our Obituaries page.

Everyone at OURFC would like to send our deepest condolences to Nigel's family and friends at this difficult time.

https://www.ourfc.org/obituaries

12/08/2026

Everyone at OURFC is saddened to hear of the passing of Brian Smith St Anne's College, Blue #910, who died on 12 August following a short illness.

Brian came up, or rather across, to St. Anne’s from his home of Queensland in 1988, to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Brian was educated at Brisbane State High School and Queensland University, where he graduated in Education and Economics. When he arrived in Oxford, Brian was already a capped Wallaby, #659, having made his debut in his home state of Queensland in 1987, starting at fly-half in a 65-18 win over South Korea, scoring 17 points. He also played in the inaugural Rugby World Cup, as did his 1988 Dark Blue teammate David Kirk, Blue #900, who captained New Zealand to a famous win. Comfortable playing anywhere across the backline but most at home at either half back or five eighth, Brian would go on to throw himself into life at Oxford, and to cement himself as an integral cog in the Varsity-winning side of 1988, playing outside David Kirk at scrumhalf, and inside Welsh international Dai Evans, Blue #908, at centre. Brian spent two seasons at Oxford, being elected to the captaincy in 1989. After his time at the club, he qualified for Irish representation through his Grandmother, winning nine caps for the country from 1991. After this, he went on to switch codes, making 43 league appearances for Balmain Tigers and Easts Rugby, back in Australia. Brian went on to have a long coaching career, at London Irish, and England Rugby under Martin Johnson, before settling as Head of Sport, at Scot’s College, Sydney, rounding off a career as someone who truly soaked up all that both codes of rugby have to offer.

Remembering Brian Smith #910 Everyone at OURFC is saddened to hear of the passing of Brian Smith, Blue #910, who died on 12 August following a short illness.BSTRYVARSITY.movBrian came up, or rather across, to St. Anne’s from his home of Queensland in 1988, to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Brian was educated at Bri...

Tim Stevens elected to Oxfordshire RFU President

11/08/2026

Our very own Tim Stevens has been elected as President of the Oxfordshire Rugby Football Union for the period of 2026-2028. Everyone at the club is hugely proud of Tim and look forward to seeing the county rugby programme continue to flourish.

Tim Stevens elected to Oxfordshire RFU President OURFC is incredibly proud to announce that Tim Stevens has been elected as President of Oxfordshire RFU. Tim will serve as president for the county for 2026 - 28. Tim's rugby journey began aged 11 at George Abbot School in Guildford, having previously only known football at primary school. His rugby...

06/08/2026

With the 2026/27 season on the horizon, there is an exciting opportunity to get involved in the medical side of the club. With the Men's Blues team due to face three premiership sides at Iffley Road this is a fantastic opportunity for the right person to lead physio provision for this historic club. The men's team this year is led by Maori All Black, Reed Prinsep with many other high calibre players in the squad.

If you are interested in this position or other medical/physio positions please email Head of Medical Simon Edwards ([email protected]) ccing in General Manager, Ian Kench ([email protected])

26/27 Physio and Medical opportunities With the 2026/27 season on the horizon, there is an exciting opportunity to get involved in the medical side of the club. With the Men's Blues team due to face three premiership sides at Iffley Road this is a fantastic opportunity for the right person to lead physio provision for this historic club....

13/07/2026

The worst thing about a University Rugby team is that every year you say goodbye to roughly a third of your members. The best thing is that our players are driven, hard working, resilient, bright, talented (the acclamation goes on).

History tells us that our alumni go on to achieve incredible things in their professional careers post OURFC. To see the latest crop of OURFC leavers from both sections see below:

https://www.ourfc.org/post/ourfc-2026-leavers

Feel free to share with your networks as these individuals would add a huge amount to any organisation or individual.

OURFC 2026 Leavers Every year we say goodbye to some fantastic OURFC stalwarts, who have given a tremendous amount to the club. These are ambitious, driven, articulate and high achieving individuals who we want to share publically with the OURFC community. The idea is to help them in their transition away from Oxford....

30/06/2026

Undergraduate applicants for 2026 or 2027 - get in touch!

Thinking of applying to Oxford for an undergraduate degree? Or do you already have a place for this coming September 2026? Currently in Year 12 or 13 and playing rugby? We'd love to hear from you! The University of Oxford have three upcoming open days over the summer - 1st and 2nd of July, as well as the 18th September.

Continue reading here......

Undergraduate applicants for 2026 or 2027 - get in touch! Thinking of applying to Oxford for an undergraduate degree? Or do you already have a place for this coming September 2026? Currently in Year 12 or 13 and playing rugby? We'd love to hear from you! The University of Oxford have three upcoming open days over the summer - 1st and 2nd of July, as well a...

30/06/2026

New Zealand Rugby

New Zealand Rugby Players Association

https://www.nzrugby.co.nz/news-and-events/latest-news/reed-prinsep-named-inaugural-liddell-oxford-rugby-scholar

Want your business to be the top-listed Gym/sports Facility in Oxford?

Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.

Location

Oxford

Telephone

+447500845799

Website

http://linktr.ee/ourfcblues

Address

Oxford

OURFC Blues

Share

Location

Category

Telephone

Website

Address

Listing takedown request