The West Point rugby team is getting ready for the D1A playoffs with a tour to the United Kingdom, and kicked everything off with a return of sorts for their coach.

Matt Sherman followed up his All American career at Cal with the pursuit of a graduate degree at Oxford University. Now the coach at Army, Sherman returned to Oxford as his Black Knights played the Oxford University Greyhounds XV to a 22-22 tie.

Center Jordan Jurosic and hooker Parker Ross showed well in the game, and Sherman praised his bench, which had a crucial impact on the game.

The bench players were: wing Nolan Green, flanker Angelo Matz, lock Nathan Brooks, prop Ben Schiher, prop Liam McMillin, hooker Ben Vasta, and flyhalf Brendan Cunningham.

Jurosic, Matz, Jason Green, and Nolan Green all scored tries.  

For Sherman, holding the game at Oxford was a special personal moment.

"It was a great experience for our team to play at the storied Iffley Road against Oxford," said Sherman. "The lessons on the field were fantastic, and soaking up the culture and history off the field was equally as valuable. It was fun to be back, to see some old friends, and to touch some fond memories."

Next up is a cross-academy game between West Point and the Royal Military College at Sandhurst on Wednesday, followed by a Friday game against Swansea University. Army then returns to the USA for one final playoff tuneup, against Navy on March 30, before hosting a D1A Round of 16.

That game will be live on FloRugby.