Oxford Quins director of rugby on strong start to season

Quins sit top of Regional 1 South Central with five wins from five, and Quins II enjoying the same record in the Counties 2 Tribute division.

In the Counties 3 Tribute league, Quins III have a 100 per cent record from three matches, and sit behind Aylesbury II on points difference.

The strong start to the season extends to Quins’ women’s teams, who have won two out of four games between them so far.

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Stu Wells, director of rugby at Quins, said: “We’re delighted with the start. With the men’s team achieving promotion last season, it was great for the club.

“You hope for the best but to get five wins from the first five matches, you’ve got to be happy with that.

“There’s a sense of one squad and you can see that.

“The players have created a culture, there’s a family feel to the club.”

Wells paid particular praise to the coaching staff at Quins, including head coach Pete Davies, forwards coach Jon Vermont, and fellow coach Lee Irvine.

“Pete Davies is a force of nature, he’s got an encyclopedic knowledge of the game,” said Wells.

“For our level, we have a talented coaching team led by Pete Davies, and he’s supported by Jon Vermont and Lee Irvine.

“That level of expertise is creates clarity for the players, and enthusiasm and confidence.

“On the pitch, there’s been great coaching. You absolutely see Lee Irvine’s impact on the 2nd XV and 3rd XV.”

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Outlining how pre-season has benefitted the players, Wells said: “There’s a new gym at the club, which means we’re able to do the strengthening and conditioning.

“It’s noticeable that in the first few matches of the season, we’re not seeing the injuries to teams around us, and in pre-season, how fit the squad was – it’s the fittest it’s been.”

Wells also highlighted the positive start to the campaign that the women’s teams have had.

Tilly Burn carries for Oxford Quins during their National Challenge 1 win against Chesham. Picture: Evelyn Hargraves Photography

“What the women have been doing is nothing short of remarkable, last season was their first in league rugby,” he said.

“Pat Metcalfe-Jones is a big name in the women’s game and she’s building a team around her.

“What we’re doing as a club is trying to build a paradigm.

“The Oxford Brookes partnership is bringing in players through that pathway, and we’re able to invest in the best possible coaches we can, in addition to the physios too, which is important for an amateur club.

“The players want to feel like they’re part of a family and a professional outfit, even if they’re not being paid.

“We’ve got a five-year plan, we want the men and women to be playing National League rugby.”