OXFORD University head coach James Wade said he only fully appreciated the Varsity Match’s significance in the final days before last week’s Twickenham showdown.

Wade steered the Dark Blues to a 28-10 victory in his first Varsity Match at the helm, having taken up the post in September.

And while he combines the role with his job as London Wasps’ high performanmce manager, Wade relishes doubling up.

“In the build-up to Twickenham, I read out to the players letters that had been sent to them from across the world,” said Wade.

“Once you are in that position, you realise how big it is and how much it means and it was a very emotional two or three days for the lads building up to it.

“I am just thankful that they produced the goods in that pressurised environment.”

Wade added: “In the first half, we probably played too much, too deep and we addressed that at half-time.

“We played about 15 yards further up the field and got our just rewards. We scored some nice tries and played a lot of good rugby.”

  • FORMER England hooker turned commentator Brian Moore will be in Oxford tonight to sign copies of his latest book.

Moore, who was capped 64 times between 1987 and 1995, is expected at Waterstones bookshop in the Cornmarket between 6.30 and 8.30pm.

His book, ‘More Thoughts of Chairman Moore’, discusses everything from the rights and wrongs of Twitter to the future of the Olympic Stadium.