RELEGATION for Oxf-ord Harlequins will not affect the plans under way at the city’s biggest club.

That was the assurance of Oxford Rugby chairman Ron Macdonald, who also revealed they will appoint a new director of rugby this summer.

With four games remaining, Quins still face a big battle to survive in National 3 South West (see below).

But whatever happens on the field, Macdonald said the full merger of Quins and the historic Oxford RFC would proceed as planned.

“Obviously relegation is not something that we want, but if it happens, our plans will still carry on,” said Macdonald.

“Our hopes are that we stay up.

“The five-point penalty we got earlier in the season came at a horrible time, but we have to take it on the chin.”

Macdonald could not yet confirm whether all the club’s senior teams would compete as Oxford Rugby next season, but he said there would be new coaches.

Quins’ disjointed campaign began with John Brodley in charge of the team, with Tevita Vaikona then taking over and more recently Tony Edney and Jamie Cope have been at the helm.

Macdonald said: “For next season, we will have a new coaching team in place.

“Tony Edney is stepping down after a long period of service and we are certainly hoping that Jamie Cope will get back playing after his knee injury.

“We will be having a new director of rugby and we’ll go for the open market.

“We need a fresh face with fresh ideas coming in.

“That is something we will be focusing on at the end of the season.”

He added: “There is no one who is a shoe-in. It has got to be right for the club.”

Macdonald said they had had to focus efforts on trying to keep Quins up this season.

But in the future, there will be a greater emphasis on promoting social rugby and improving the facilities.

With a recruitment drive planned for over the summer, Oxford Rugby hope to field five teams.

They have also signed a five-year deal with Abbotts Advertising & Sponsorship to help secure funds.

Macdonald said: “The legalities are pretty much done.

“Our biggest problem was to get our finances straight and Matt Todd, our treasurer, has done a great job.”