FORMER Saracens full back Ben Ransom is ready to turn his back on the sport after helping Oxford University to Varsity Match glory.

The 26-year-old produced a man-of-the-match performance at Twickenham as the Dark Blues beat Cambridge 38-16 last Thursday.

Ransom was flawless under the high ball, made a try-saving tackle and sent Dan Barley racing over as Oxford took a crucial half-time lead.

The former England U20 international has been without a club since leaving London Irish in the summer and is studying for an MBA at St Catherine’s College.

But he insists his Varsity Match display was not an audition for a professional contract.

“I’m at Oxford for an education,” said Ransom.

“I’m at a stage of my life where I want to transition, that’s why I chose to study the masters and obviously there was the bonus of the Varsity game.

“At the moment, I’m concentrating on that.”

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  • Ben Ransom pushes Elliott Baines into touch to prevent the winger from scoring a first-half try for Cambridge Picture: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

He added: “If a good club comes along and I want to continue with my career, then never say never.

“But I’m focused on the next phase of my life, moving away from rugby.

“I want to get into investment banking and I think that’s where I see myself in the long term.

“Rugby obviously has a finite career.

“You’d be lucky if you went past 32-33 these days, so I’m wanting to transition now rather than at a later date.”

Ransom won three Premiership titles and a Champions Cup with Saracens.

Last week’s Varsity Match victory was just as special for the former Tonbridge School pupil.

He said: “It was a great privilege to play with the boys.

“All year we bought into an amateur culture – the love of the game and each other – that’s what we built ourselves on and it drove us forward.”

One player who will be returning to the professional game is captain Dom Waldouck.

The 31-year-old has a contract with Newcastle Falcons which allows him to study a Master of Science degree in sustainable urban development at Kellogg College.

Waldouck was back in training with the Aviva Premiership side, who face Edinburgh in the Champions Cup on Saturday, this week.

The former London Wasps, Northampton Saints and London Irish centre said: “It’s been a fantastic couple of years.

“I’ve been very lucky to have the opportunity to do some studying alongside my rugby career.”