RON Macdonald says there has been a positive response to the news that Oxford Harlequins and Oxford will merge.

Quins’ chairman Macdonald and his colleagues on the new joint committee are now reviewing suggestions for a new club name.

He said: “The membership have reacted very positively to the merger and a significant number of members that had “fallen away” have contacted me offering their support to the new entity.”

If the newly-merged club are to play as a single entity next season, they must notify the RFU by June 1 and make sure all the legal paperwork is complete.

  • HENLEY Hawks back-row forward Tom Stradwick has been called into the England Counties squad for June’s three-match tour to Spain after shining for Kent in the County Championship.