OXFORDSHIRE RFU are helping develop rugby in Romania as part of a global initiative.

The “Unity Project” is designed to grow the sport ahead of the Rugby World Cup (RWC) in 2015.

It has been launched by the RFU nationally, alongside the International Rugby Board (IRB), UK Sport and FIRA-AER, which looks after aspiring rugby nations.

There are 17 countries selected for support over a three-year period, with Romania linked to Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.

Oxon will support the Romanian Rugby Union by training managers, staff and coaches and devising player development pathways.

Oxfordshire RFU chairman Paddy Gregan said “Romania have just qualified for RWC 2015 and on Saturday play Georgia in a decider to see who qualifies as ‘Europe One’ and ‘Europe Two’ seeds.

“We enjoyed a fantastic fact-finding mission to Bucharest in November and look forward to welcoming our Romanian colleagues to Oxfordshire in April 2015.

“There is great potential to grow the grassroots game in Romania and to build cultural and social ties.”

Oxford University and Buckinghamshire will perform a similar role with Serbia.

BANBURY host Henley 2nd in the semi-finals of the Oxfordshire Cup tonight (7.45).

The battle of the Bulls, as both sides bear that name, is for a final place against Oxford Harlequins or Witney, who play at Oxford RFC on Saturday (2.30).