Ben Thompson has revealed he turned down an offer from Chinnor after taking time out from full-time rugby.

The 28-year-old former Oxfordshire utility back left Championship side Nottingham this summer after spending almost a decade playing at that level.

Thompson, who played for Exeter Chiefs after starting out at Chinnor, said he did not feel able to commit to Nottingham’s increasingly professional approach.

“I’m just taking a break from it all, I’ve started a new job in Nottingham,” said Thompson, who also played cricket for Oxfordshire.

“I was working at Nottingham and playing there as well, which was a lot.

“They’ve gone more full-time, so they are training morning and afternoon.

“Realistically I knew full-time rugby wasn’t the direction I was going to take.

“I had a few offers from elsewhere, but realised the commitment required was still quite big.

“The guys from Chinnor gave me a call and I have still got some friends there, but the travelling was the main thing I would have found difficult.”

Instead of pre-season training, Thompson enjoyed playing some more cricket over the summer, featuring for Plumtree in the Nottinghamshire Premier League as well as his home club Horspath.