HARLEQUINS TO VISIT IFFLEY ROAD

After a hard fought match against Saracens on Friday night (trylights), the Men*s Blues once more prepare to face an opposition of Premiership royalty as Harlequins visit Iffley Road. Harlequins return to Iffley Road on Friday 24^th October for a 7:15pm kick-off. Tickets for Friday Night Lights including the pre-match dinner with Australia Women's 7s coach, Tim Walsh as guest speaker, are available here: https://www.ourfc.org/tickets

OURFC and Harlequins have a long-standing history with Harlequins appearing as a regular fixture on the Men*s Blues fixture cards in the 1960s. In 1964, the Men*s Blues faced the Quins on the 21^st of November coming away with a narrow defeat of 0-17. These matches were a firm favourite of OURFC supporters and were a badge of honour for players. It was a contest of tradition and heritage challenging the robust set-piece of the Harlequins with the commitment and defensive speed of the Men*s Blues.

Friday’s match marks the 60-year anniversary since OURFC faced Harlequins in a sold-out Twickenham. A few weeks ago, Zed Nott had the pleasure of sitting down with former Blue and long-time OURFC supporter Mike Simmie (#708) to chat about the match and his time at OURFC – full article available here.

Harlequins last visited Iffley Road on the 25^th of October 2023; a match that concluded 43-7 to a victorious Harlequins side. The Men*s Blues put up a physical fight against the Quins but after an early spree of trys, one of which was scored by Men*s Blue’s 2022/23 captain Tom Osborne (#1276). Full match report available here: https://www.ourfc.org/post/match-reports-week-3. Tom Osborne went on to sign for Harlequins in 2021 and captained the side against OURFC in October 2023. The Harlequins team that day also included Ben Waghorn, Sean Kerr, Josh Bellamy, Harry Browne, Zach Carr & Lucas Schmid who all represented England U20s that season, who went on to win the World Rugby Championship that season.

It's sure to be an unforgettable match, so come down for 7:15pm on Friday night and cheer on the Dark Blues! Tickets available here: https://www.ourfc.org/tickets