Banbury, home of the famous nursery rhyme that began "Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross" (just up the road), staged the recent under-21 international between England and Ireland. Planet Rugby's intrepid reporter cursed his way along narrow, winding roads from Northampton that took him up hill and down dale, around more S-bends than the average grand prix in a diesel tank, masquerading as a car.

But it was worth the journey to see the magnificent facilities. Banbury RFC originally owned land in the middle of the town. Sainsbury's coveted the site and offered to build a state-of-the-art clubhouse plus pitches on a new site (Bodicote Park) just outside the town. The result is a magnificent facility complete with floodlights. It would put All-Ireland League Division One clubs to shame.

And Banbury's current status? They play in the Midlands Division One and some day hope to win promotion to the national leagues.