We have this thread around this time every year...



Two factors to add to this. One is the size of Oxford & Cambridge. They both have around 20k students each. As well as being older/richer/more academic, they're also a lot bigger than most other universities. The other is that both tend to produce a much stronger attachment in their graduates than other universities. I wouldn't cross the road to watch my old uni play against Leeds Met - but my father-in-law would support Oxford against Cambridge in anything, 50+ years after he graduated.



Both of those things mean that even if the game might appeal only to Oxbridge graduates, it could still get decent ratings and be an easy sell for Sky advertising buyers.

I was at Oxford myself but didn't get into RL until shortly after I left. Sadly, RL gets a bit overlooked there because Union tries to dominate (helps that the Varsity union game has a bit of a social draw- God knows why) and you can't get a full Blue for RL.



I do hope that OURLFC kick on from this and keep on increasing their profile.

Reckon RL could swallow it's pride and play as a curtain raiser to RU varsity at Twickers?



Boom, 30,000 fans just like that.

I’m convinced that there are many people out there who would fall in love with Rugby League if they were exposed to it more – there is plenty of untapped support in this country



I’m also convinced that you won’t find much of that support in the crowd as a RU varsity match – Union is as ingrained a part of their lives as wellies and wax jackets, picnics from the tailgate of their Range Rover, shooting in the country and future jobs in the city



It is a different world, I think we have to realistic and admit that the sport of Rugby League is never going to see the captain of the national side marrying into the royal family any time soon... I’m not sure that Jamie Peacock would fit in around the Windsor’s dinner table (no offence Jamie)

A few notes.



Ady Spencer - Cambridge Uni at League and Union, London Broncos RL professional, the last man banned from union before it went pro, later worked as RFL Commercial Manager in London.



Varsity RL is 30+ years old, and as such is the longest running continuous competition in student rugby. It's social kudos makes it important for the profile of the game, though neither side are in the top 10 student teams.



The SRL Super8 competition is based on a licensing system. The Premier Sports tv SRL started with Super8 games, but the top 4 playoff was a made-up-for-tv event. It was a cracking final, though.



The real SRL championship is contested by the top 4 Super 8 teams, and the top 2 in each of the Premier North and South competitions. In the quarters last Wednesday, Prem South Champs Exeter stuffed Super8 Edge Hill 38-8, and Prem north winners Newcastle edged out Super8 Northumbria, who perhaps has their eyes on this weekend's Challenge Cup.



Neither Exeter nor Newcastle have the resources from their unis to play in the super 8. Exeter to Northumbria, for example, is a 700 mile round trip plus an overnight stay. Without a lot of funding it's just not possible.



RLis not discriminated against at Oxbridge as such. It doesn't have automatic full blue status because there isn't an inter-college competition. Union, in contrast, has a first XV at every college, and 2 or 3 teams at some. So, there are maybe 50 student union teams at Cambridge, but only one RL team. John Evans, the saints-born coach educator who coaches Cambridge, is right, though... The difference between the number of discretionary full blues at Oxford compared to Cambridge is skewing the contest.



Don't underestimate the influence of the excellent Oxford coach, Dan Garbutt. A Gloucestershire bloke, Dan's also coached with the Harlequins Academy and the England Lionhearts (summer conference) setup.



Oxford were mid table in the Southern Premier. Cambride are in a regional league in the tier below.

I think Oxford get 13, and Cambrigde get 4. Could be a few out!



Each Uni blues committee operates independently of the other, and you'd be right to think of them a bastions of the establishment. But it's not simple prejudice, there is reason behind why RL isn't as highly rewarded as the collegiate sports like footy, cricket, rowing and union.

Think of the blue as an international cap, and you'll be close to how the students themselves see it.

Possibly not an entirely fair reflection on their strength, though? Both teams seem to favour games against SL academy teams and amateur clubs as part of preparation for the varsity match. Eamonn McManus, the Saints chairman, is a Cambridge graduate and I believe has made sure they got a game against St.Helens academy, for example.



Interesting perspective on the travel front for Exeter & Northumbria. Cambridge have toured France several times, played 3 games in Malta this winter and I think are going to NZ in the summer.

Northumbria do play in S8. Exeter could if their AU would fund it. Cambridge has a very professional team organising sponsorship. Plus it's Cambridge.

As someone who has played for Oxford both on Thursday night and last year, I agree that RL is not actively discriminated against, not at Oxford anyway. The RU club is nearly 150 years old, has its own stadium , collegiate competitions and 5 full time staff. Instead of decrying the perceived discrimination against our sport, I would instead offer huge congratulations to those at both Oxford and Cambridge who have brought the RL clubs so far in such a comparitively short space of time. John Hobart, the Oxford assistant coach, this year took part in his 16th varsity match; Dan Garbutt - the head coach - his 8th. Their input and commitment are second to none and as such we now have a thriving 2nd team, a women's team, and a inter-college 9s tournament ion the summer term. TGG game is alive and kicking in Oxford, and - I hope - in Cambridge.

I see a good career in politics for you Little Ivor.