DESPITE this year’s mild winter, the streaker at a university rugby game in Oxford must have felt the cold as he ran on to the pitch at the end of the game.

His identity remains a mystery, but his naked dash across the grass at the Iffley Road stadium has been captured for posterity on an amateur video and posted on YouTube on the Internet.

The streaker was one of scores of fans seen bursting out of the stands and on to the pitch at the end of the game between Brookes First XV and the Oxford University team Oxford Greyhounds.

Tim Stevens, administrator for Oxford University Rugby Club, said an investigation was now under way following the chaotic end to the fixture last Monday.

He said: “The Brookes players scored a try in the 79th minute and then there was a pitch invasion by about 30 people.

“The match finished but there was only a minute to go before the referee was due to blow for full-time.

“Once the last try had been scored, the score was 25-5 and we did not object to the game being stopped but whether Oxfordshire Rugby Football Union will take any action I do not know.

“I gather they are trying to talk to Oxford Brookes University about what happened.

“The pitch invasion did not affect the outcome so we have no objection to the result standing.”

The game was in the first round of the Oxfordshire County Cup and the Oxford Brookes team has now gone through to the next round to play Grove.

Mr Stevens said Oxford Brookes was drawn as the home team and were jointly responsible with Oxford University for stewarding the game.

He added: “There will be a joint investigation.”

A 63-year-old spectator, who asked not to be named, said: “At last year’s fixture the fans were pretty rowdy but this year they took it too far – it was the Brookes fans who invaded the pitch.

“The Oxford University fans were appalled by what happened because they had gone to see a good game, which it was.

“The streaker was an Oxford Brookes supporter and he was definitely a bloke.

“I’ve been connected with rugby for over 50 years and I am appalled by what I saw – it was a sad day.

“Oxford Brookes will be assisting with enquiries into disruption to the game and appropriate action will be taken.”

Nick Cole, spokesman for Oxfordshire Rugby Football Union, said he was not aware of the pitch invasion.

Thames Valley Police spokesman Adam Fisher said: “We have not received any complaints about the game.”

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk To see footage of the streaker on YouTube, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=8br586OU8s4