Seismic Changes at Iffley Road (September 2012)

The likes of Richard Sharp, David Marques, Dickie Jeeps, Budge Rogers and other England Rugby Union stars of my own playing era once graced the pitch at Oxford University’s famous Iffley Road ground. Whether playing in exhibition matches for Major Stanley’s XV or Mickey Steele Bodger’s XV all have added to the reputation of Iffley Road being among the most prestigious of the XV a side code’s homes.

Though never having had the pleasure of playing at Iffley Road I have had the satisfaction of coaching Cowley School to success in many a National Schools Sevens tournament there, and been able to have them warm up on the very running track on which the legendary Roger Bannister broke the first four minutes mile. Truly a traditional rugby union fortress.

What then the news that an Oxford Rugby League club, with players drawn from the universities, the armed forces, the local southern amateur clubs, and the grassroots northern communities will be based at Iffley Road next season and will compete, alongside other newcomers, Hemel Stags, and the University of Gloucestershire All Golds in the rugby league’s Championship One competition? A shock surely of seismic proportions in the sporting world?

Not such a shock if one looks carefully at the massive expansion nationwide made by the 13 a side code under the umbrella of a summer season. Not such a shock if one notes the change in attitudes brought about by the advent of professional rugby union, and the greater amateur content being introduced into the rugby league code.

The more relaxed relationship between the two codes now enables the Sale Sharks RU club and the Salford City Reds RL club to play alongside each other at the newly built Salford City Stadium while players, certainly in the North of England, are enjoying a winter season with their local rugby union club and then transferring to a local amateur or professional rugby league club during the summer. All hopefully gaining a better understanding of both codes and adopting a better attitude to each other.

But Rugby League at Iffley Road? An Oxford RL club? Attitudes have changed. I must get there to watch a match!

Ray French