Oxford University director of rugby Steve Hill hailed his players’ encouraging display despite losing their opening tour match 27-20 to Gael Force at Murrayfield today.

Hill said their opponents, who are a combined Edinburgh and Glasgow A team, were as strong as any they usually face in their build-up to the Varsity Match at Twickenham.

Gael Force, who will play in the new British and Irish Cup, fielded 11 players from the Magners League clubs’s first-team squads and spectators included Scotland coach Andy Robinson.

Oxford took the lead with a seventh-minute penalty from fly half Ross Swanson.

But tries from centre Andrew Easson, flanker Fraser McKenzie and wing Andrew Turnbull, plus conversions from fly half David Blair and full back Steve Jones put Gael Force 19-3 up at the break.

No 8 Chris Davies, full back Will Browne and lock Nic Van Zyl all scored tries for the Dark Blues in the third quarter, with Swanson converting one for a 20-19 lead.

However, a Jones penalty and an injury-time try from wing Chris Kincloch sealed the win for the Scots.

Hill said: “I’m very pleased with the overall performance.

“Eleven of them were full-time pros. I thought we did exceptionally well – especially as it wasn’t our first XV as such.

“Will Browne at full back was exceptional. I was watching next to former Scotland fly half Craig Chalmers and he thought Will was outstanding.

“Jamie Gibson, who is only 18, made his debut at flanker and was all over the place. He looked really good.”

Hill added: “The guys are frustrated we lost, but when they reflect on it, they will realise it was a really good performance.

“We were a little open at times and took some wrong decisions, but it wasn’t bad for our first proper game.

“The only downside was that we lost Sean Morris and Chris Mahony to injury.”

The Dark Blues’ second and final match of their tour is against Newcastle Falcons A on Monday night.

Oxford University: Browne*, Fenwick, Morris*, Boyes, Catling*, Swanson*, Klopper, Lutton*, Rosen* (capt), Johnson#, Outen, Van Zyl*, Makoto, Gibson, Davies*. Reps: Rogers, MacDonald, Kench*, McKeen*#, Haydon, Allfrey, James, Carter, Cheesman*, Mahony *. * Denotes Blue # Denotes international.

STEVE Hill upstaged most of his Oxford University squad by finishing third in their 50-mile sponsored bike ride.

The Dark Blues’ director of rugby came in just 20 seconds behind winners, lock Ian Kench and centre Hugh McCormick.

It is hoped the ride has raised more than £6,000, which will be split between the club and the charity Tour Aid.