FORMER Scotland international Dave Hilton is proving age is no barrier after joining reborn Oxford.

The 46-year-old prop, who made 42 appearances for his country, has featured in all three of the club’s BB&O Championship matches this season.

Oxford head coach Will Brewer, who played with Hilton as a colt at Bristol, asked the former Bath player to run a scrummage session during pre-season.

And after being so impressed with the turnout and attitude of the players, he could not resist the opportunity to turn out for the club, despite only making four appearances for Dings Crusaders 3rd XV over the last couple of seasons.

“It’s brilliant,” said Hilton, who ended a four-year coaching stint with Moseley, who now play in National League 1, in the summer.

“The pace is still fairly fast and furious, but as I get fitter I will be able to get my head around that.

“Scrummaging, though, I am here to do that all day.”

Hilton added: “I am going to see how it goes.

“I don’t know how long my body will last, if I will play for six months and start coaching again. It is an open-ended book.”

Oxford, who were founded in 1909, played their first competitive fixture in four years when they faced Littlemore 13 months ago.

With the City of Oxford Rugby Partnership, which tabled plans for a merger between the club and Oxford Harlequins in 2011, officially ending last year, the club is beginning to stand on its own two feet once more.

A 44-3 victory over Farnham Royal on Saturday sees them sit second in English rugby’s ninth tier.

And their second XV, Oxford Nomads, played their first friendly against Littlemore 2nd just under a fortnight ago.

Director of rugby John Brodley believes Hilton’s presence is of great benefit to the club.

He said: “Imagine you are brand new to rugby and all of a sudden you are in the same training session as a former Scotland international.

“He is such a nice guy, down to earth and he talks to the other players about normal things.

“It is helping us no end. Long may it continue.”