A University of Oxford College cannot wait for a famous sporting star to join their college this September.

International and Australian Ruby star Tom Robertson, 28, will be joining Oriel College in September to study for a master’s degree in public policy as part of a planned sabbatical.

Mr Robertson plays as a prop in Rugby Australia’s side and has played 31 games for the Wallabies since his debut in 2016.

READ MORE: Oxford: Chiltern Railway services to London face disruption

The rugby star has been awarded a John Monash scholarship and will study at the Blavatnik School Government at Oxford.

Oriel’s Provost Lord Mendoza said: “We can’t wait to see how Tom will contribute to our vibrant student community.

“Not only is he a brilliant scholar with a promising career ahead of him, he is also a talented sportsman and has generously offered to help us with rugby and wider sporting efforts at Oriel.”

Oriel College offers 22 graduate scholarships in addition to all the global scholarships that are available at the University of Oxford.

READ MORE: Oxford chewing gum crackdown steps up with £25K boost

Mr Robertson already holds a Bachelor of Medical Science, a master’s of public health and a master’s of philosophy and medicine.

The player told Australian ruby media outlet Wallabies: "I would like to thank the Western Force and Rugby Australia for allowing me to have this sabbatical.

“It's not every day people come together and allow you to miss half a year of rugby.”

Help support trusted local news 

Sign up for a digital subscription now: oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe 

As a digital subscriber you will get: 

  • Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website 
  • Advert-light access 
  • Reader rewards 
  • Full access to our app 

About the author 

To sign up to Ed's weekly Politics newsletter, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/ 

Ed specialises in writing political stories for the Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times. 

He joined in the team in February 2023, after completing a History undergraduate degree at the University of York and studying for his NCTJ diploma in London.

Ed’s weekly politics newsletter is released every Saturday morning.