OLLIE Tomaszczyk says his gap year in Argentina and training with Newcastle Falcons have helped him impress for Oxford University.

The 19-year-old loose-head prop has defied convention by going straight into the Dark Blues side as a fresher this season, but was quietly confident of success.

Tomaszczyk played for Argentinian Division 1 side Lomas Athletic earlier this year, which helped develop his skills and was ideal for his modern languages degree.

He said: "I came back early from Argentina because I wanted to give it my best shot.

"In August before I came to Oxford I trained every day with the Newcastle first team to get in the best possible shape for this coming season.

"Coming from professional to university rugby, my first impression was how much smaller everyone seemed to be.

"That helped my confidence a lot."

He added: "Going out to Argentina gave me a really good opportunity to progress. That was my first experience of senior rugby."

Tomaszczyk, who comes from Hexham, has already made a big impact with his scrummaging and energetic play in the loose.

And he feels he is better suited to the challenges of Varsity rugby after taking a year out.

He said: "I have been playing against men for the last year, so it doesn't seem that big a step up.

"I can understand someone coming straight out of school would find it more difficult.

"Newcastle were very happy for me to come to university because the standard that Oxford Blues play at is very competitive.

"I'm playing at least the same level as the academy players at Newcastle."

With last year's starting props Sean Brophy and Paul Laffin both having left Oxford, Tomaszczyk always had a chance to establish himself.

"I've been lucky in a way as in my position the competition is not perhaps as fierce, " he said.

"I have come in when a lot of others have moved on."

As for his style of play, Tomaszczyk said: "My dad and I watch a lot of rugby and chat about how the top props get involved in the loose.

"I like to play that way as it is more enjoyable."

A professional rugby career is something Tomaszczyk is considering.

But he added: "The problem with professional clubs like Newcastle is that all the talk is about rugby.

"Here people have a wider range of interests. I feel I have really gelled well."