Friday Night LIghts Round two: Harlequins
Matchday one for the Men's Blues saw over 2,000 spectators making the journey down to Iffley road, to watch Reed Prinsep's men take on professional outfit Leicester Tigers in the first Friday Night Lights of the season. Oxford took the game by the scruff of the neck early in the first half against the Tigers, as both wingers were denied by last-ditch Tigers tackles, only for captain Reed Prinsep to announce his leadership in this, his first home game as captain, going over to open the scoring. The rest of the first half saw the Tigers wake up from their catnap, scoring a flurry of tries to go into the half up by a considerable margin. The break proved a serious turning point, as the Blues came out swinging in a far more even second half, in which the score was twelve points apiece. While the period of Tigers dominance sealed the result of this game, the final score reading 26-50 to Tigers, the Blues showed serious heart and attacking flair. Thomas Yates reports for The Oxford Blue reports the occasion as a "competitive game" that was "testament to the hours the Blues players have found to put in" amongst academic commitments. Find match highlights here.
After a week without a Friday fixture, in which the Blues strapped on their snorkels on Saturday to brave an outing against Richmond in the midst of storm Austen, Oxford is gearing up for the arrival of its second Premiership opposition of the season in Harlequins, who return to Iffley road for another season. In this, the second instalment of Friday Night Lights for the Dark Blues, Iffley Road is expected to be packed out once again come 7:15pm on Friday 30th, as the Jesters bring an young, exciting squad for what promises to be another roaring affair at the home of rugby in Oxford. There will be donuts, churros, pies and wraps on sale, and the pavilion bar will be open alongside the Drunken Ferret, the Club Shop and a pop-up bar within the grounds. We're expecting another sell-out crowd, and tickets are disappearing quicker and quicker as we get closer to the event – don't miss out on Oxford's premier sporting entertainment, this Friday Night.
Oxford and Harlequins have various existing connections, notably in Harlequins stalwart and Blue #1242 George Robson, who came to Oxford to study the MBA in 2018. Robson made over 200 appearances in the famous quarters, before turning down a contract renewal with London Irish to appear for the Dark Blues at Twickenham, in the programme to the 2018 Varsity Match describing the atmosphere at OURFC as "one of the purest forms [of rugby] I've played in", and describing the Varsity as "a game of Test match intensity, but with guys who aren't test match size". Robson went on to deny Cambridge a threepeat of wins, in a 38-16 victory, alongside current player Aaron Henry, #1225, designated "Hardest Trainer" by George. The two are pictured below celebrating after the 2018 win.
There is no connection more significant than that of Tom Humphreys, ex-Harlequins player turned Oxford scholar, who left Quins this summer to study for an MSc in Pharmacology at Reuben College. Tom played for Harlequins throughout his school and undergraduate degree, also representing England U18s. We spoke to Tom about the experience earlier this week, and he recalled playing at Iffley Road as "a highlight of my time at the club":
Playing in front of a packed crowd at such a great venue made the occasion even more special. It was my first time wearing the famous quarters, so to come away with a win made it a particularly memorable day. It has also been great to see so many of the young Quins lads involved in that game go on to get their first Prem caps and properly kick on in the professional game.
Whilst looking forward over the last year toward his life after professional rugby, albeit at the young age of 21, Tom admits Oxford was never quite on his radar as a genuine option, until speaking to ex-Blues Captain and Harlequins academy alum Luke Wyllie #1280, who encouraged him to think about applying. Since starting his course, Tom says, he he has enjoyed most the cameraderie of coupling a high standard of rugby with elite academics. "Coming down to the club to train after a long day of essay writing or labs is a really rewarding experience, especially when you to see a bunch of guys who are coming off the same schedule. It's a really unique opportunity to take a great step for my career but to continue to play a high level of rugby.'
Tom was declared 'very, very fast' whilst playing for England U18s by the England Rugby Instagram page, although a move in from the wing to outside centre for the Dark Blues (and the fact that he's technically retired) casts aspersions on this claim. We hope he can prove us wrong against his old mates come Friday! Tom is no stranger to performing well at Iffley Road, bagging two tries in the 2023 fixture, which was won comfortably by the visitors, and also featured 2022/23 Varsity Match captain, another Dark Blue connection to Quins , Blue #1276, Tom Osborne, returning to captain his new team at his old stomping ground. We look forward to watching Tom repeat his antics this season.
Tom playing at Iffley Road for Quins in 2023 
In his old age receiving treatment against Leicester Tigers two weeks ago
Tom (left) playing at Iffley Road for Harlequins in 2023, and, in his old age, receiving treatment against Leicester Tigers last week.
This fixture is always one that emphasises not only the significant academic connection between those who pursue high level rugby, and postgraduate study at Oxford, but also the genuine Premiership pedigree on display. All three of last years starting front row for Quins, Will Hobson, Jimmy Staples, and Ollie Streeter, participated in Quins' electric first win of the season against Saracens on Sunday, along with Seb Driscoll, Lucas Schmid, Elliot Williams and Bryn Bradley. As "The Other Place" take on Harlequins' North London opposition Saracens this Friday, this fixture could be a good litmus test for how the Dark and Light Blue sides are faring, in anticipation of the Varsity Match in February
Don't miss out on the roaring crowd and the opportunity to watch future years' Prem stars in action this Friday, as Reed Prinsep leads the Dark Blues out once more to take on Harlequins. You can purchase your ticket here. Under 18s are free, and student tickets are £3 with a valid student ID; enter the code STUDENTS3 at checkout. If you wish to book tickets for the rapidly-selling pre-match dinner from 5:30pm, tickets can be found here. If you wish to find out more about the matchday experience at OURFC, please follow this link.
Parking is available only for pre-paid vehicles, and can be booked as an add-on when you purchase a ticket. For more information about accessing Iffley Road, please see our "Getting Here" page.
With storm Austen expected to be long behind us, and the weather looking clear and crisp on Friday night, Iffley Road is the place to be.
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