Former Oxford captain and Oxfordshire lock Thom Cooper has died aged 76.

Cooper, who was a PE teacher at the old Southfield School, captained Oxford between 1958 and 1961 and was renowned as a line-out specialist.

He left Oxford to work for Guinness, but returned to the city on his retirement and was instrumental in founding the club’s mini section after the 1991 World Cup.

Cooper leaves a wife, Kay, a daughter, Tracey, two sons, Robin and Jason and seven grandchildren.

His funeral takes place on Thursday at St Peter’s Church, Wolvercote, Oxford at 2.30pm.