Ian Nagle suffers varsity blues as Cambridge fail to stop Oxford

Cambridge 6 Oxford 12

Ian Nagle failed to prove a record-buster at Twickenham as Oxford claimed a record sixth win in a row in the Varsity Match.

The 27-year-old lock experienced plenty of highs and lows with both Munster and Irish Wolfhounds and his Varsity Match debut proved the same.

Having enrolled at the Judge Business School of Cambridge University, Nagle was part of a new-look team, that included British Lion Jamie Roberts, charged with restoring pride in one of the most famous institutions in the world after last year’s record 43-6 loss to their bitter rivals.

Cambridge may have lost for a sixth time in a row for the first time in the 134-year history of this famous fixture, but the job was nonetheless complete.

Nagle said: “It’s a bittersweet emotion because we had been building towards this day for so long and we know that for a lot of us we will never get the opportunity again. We are disappointed with the result, but there is a general consensus that we wouldn’t have done much differently in the game it we had another chance.”

Nagle had little time to drown his sorrows given he had to sit an exam this morning as part of his MBA.

However, he has already passed the test of whether or not he is capable of returning to rugby. His work-rate was a key part in keeping Cambridge in the contest to the final whistle.

Nagle said: “It felt good to be playing in a big game again. I was on the ropes by the end but it was brilliant to be a part of it all.

“I am 100% looking to come back and I know there are a few areas I need to clean up on. I am as physically mended as I could be and I hope to get something fixed to start playing again in the New Year.

“I will do whatever a club needs. If they want me to spend time in the gym and put on a bit of weight then so be it, or if they want me to play for a Championship club to get some rugby under my belt, then that’s fine too.”

Roberts’ Varsity Match was over after 40 minutes and four kicks by Oxford’s George Cullen proved enough to settle the contest.