CITY of Oxford College’s rugby academy head coach has taken a step into the professional game by joining a Premiership side.

Alex Guest has been appointed senior academy manager at Bristol Bears after two years at Oxford’s Activate Rugby Academy.

During the Bristolian’s time with Activate, the City of Oxford College was given England Rugby Partner College status.

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At the time, Oxford was one of only eight colleges in the country to have such a standing.

Guest said: “It’s been a fantastic couple of years at the college. Leading the programme to the ACE final is an obvious achievement but seeing players transition to senior academies across the Gallagher Premiership and university places off the back of rugby and academics at the college is fantastic.”

Bears director of rugby Pat Lam told the club website: “Alex was the standout candidate for this role during a thorough recruitment process and we’re pleased to welcome another proud Bristolian into the Bears family.

“He is young and dynamic with a strong experience of Premiership academy set-ups and we were impressed by his passion and desire for player development and the city.”

Guest joins Gareth Harris in leaving the Activate programme for full-time academy roles.

Harris left for a role with Sale Sharks as academy head coach, and is now senior academy coach with the Manchester-based Premiership outfit.