OURFC Announce Partnership with Merchant Taylors’ School

Oxford University Rugby Football Club (OURFC) is delighted to announce a new partnership with Merchant Taylors' School, creating an exciting pathway for student development both on and off the pitch. This partnership represents a strong two-way relationship, designed to provide meaningful opportunities for Merchant Taylors’ students to experience rugby within a high-performance university environment.

As part of the collaboration, OURFC coaches have delivered sessions at Merchant Taylors’ School, supporting player development and sharing expertise from the university game. In addition, students will have the opportunity to visit OURFC’s Iffley Road facility, gaining first-hand insight into life at Oxford.

The programme will also include access to current OURFC players, who will act as mentors for prospective Oxbridge applicants offering guidance on the application process, as well as insight into balancing academic and sporting commitments at the highest level.

Scott Hall, Head of Partnerships at OURFC, said:

“It is great to announce our partnership with Merchant Taylors’ School and we are hugely excited to see this develop and grow. Harry Bridgewater recently won Varsity with Oxford and is an MTS alumnus alongside current members of OURFC, which highlights the strength of the pathway.

These partnerships are incredibly important to us, and it means a lot to both OURFC and MTS to see their students come into this environment and thrive. We look forward to seeing even more Merchant Taylors’ students pulling on a Dark Blue shirt in the seasons to come.”

Ed Conway, Director of Rugby at Merchant Taylors’ School, added:

“We are delighted to enter into this partnership with the University of Oxford Rugby Club. What excites us most about this partnership is the opportunity it creates for our boys. It gives them meaningful exposure to the standards required to succeed at the highest level, both academically and on the field. Building closer links with Oxford’s players and coaches will help our pupils to raise their aspirations and prepare with greater clarity and purpose.”

We look forward to seeing this partnership continue to grow and create lasting opportunities for students at Merchant Taylors’ School while strengthening the connection between school and university rugby.