IT should be a night to remember for Oxfordshire rugby fans when England Under 21s open their Six Nations Championship campaign against Ireland at Banbury on Friday.
The superb facilities at Bodicote Park have been rewarded with this prestige fixture, which will feature several players with experience in Allied Dunbar Premiership 1.
Saracens and Leicester Tigers are each represented by three players. The exciting half back combination of Andrew Goode and James Grindal, who made their mark for Leicester when the Tigers were without their World Cup stars, will be hoping to guide England to victory.
And included on the bench is Henley Hawks scrum half Dan Smaje.
Ireland, who always do well at this level, include two players from their World Cup squad.
Admission for the match, which starts at 7.30, is £5.
At half-time there will be a collection for Gosford All Blacks player Chris Sumner, who is wheelchair-bound after a rugby accident.
Story date: Wednesday 02 February
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