Preview: Oxford v Cambridge
Arch-rivals Oxford and Cambridge face off for the 130th time on Thursday in the annual Nomura Varsity Match at Twickenham.
Arch-rivals Oxford and Cambridge face off for the 130th time on Thursday in the annual Nomura Varsity Match at Twickenham.
Oxford are looking to make it back-to-back victories after winning 21-10 last year. But having claimed victory in four of the last six clashes between the sides, and coming of the back of a strong season, Cambridge will fancy their chances.
Overall, Cambridge are seven wins ahead, leading Oxford 61-54.
In teams news, Oxford skipper John Carter has given last season's winning Dark Blues front five a vote of confidence.
Carter has stacked his pack full of experience as he tries to emulate last season's success and make it three wins in four years.
As well as the same front five, Oxford will have openside flanker Louis Mather returning for another crack at the Light Blues and the skipper will win his second Blue after missing last season's game.
The only newcomer to the Varsity Match in the Oxford pack is American post-graduate Derek Asbun;.
Yet for all their experience up front, Oxford have only one Blue behind the scrum in Sean Morris. He switches from centre to wing this year to allow Hong Kong international Sebastian Perkins to team up with former Newbury star Gavin Turner in the midfield.
There are three more Blues among the Oxford replacements, taking their tally to 11, while Cambridge can boast three Blues in their potent back line, four up front and two more on the bench for a total of nine.
Cambridge will look to gain an advantage in the back-line, where returning Blues Plau Loudon, captain Matt Guinness-King (a former Canadian international) and wing Rob Stevens will start.
There are just four Cambridge players returning from last year's starting XVas Stuart Brown keeps his place at tight-head while Jason Kururangi switches from blindside to the second-row.
The teams:
Oxford: 15 Jon Hudson, 14 Sean Morris, 13 Sebastian Perkins, 12 Gavin Turner, 11 Cassian Bramham Law, 10 Tom Mitchell, 9 Sam Egerton, 8 John Carter (c), 7 Louis Mather, 6 Derek Asbun, 5 Tom Evans, 4 Karl Outen, 3 Will Kane, 2 Govind Oliver, 1 Hamish MacDonald.
Replacements: Anthony Connor, Lewis Anderson, Jason Law, Jamie Durward, Ruairi O'Donavon, Harry Guinness, Matt Janney, Jonathan Direen.
Cambridge: 15 Tom O'Toole, 14 Paul Loudon, 13 Matt Guinness-King (C), 12 Kristian Cooke, 11 Rob Stevens, 10 Steve Townend, 9 Don Blake, 8 Dave Allen, 7 Rob Malaney, 6 Ben Martin, 5 Scott Annett, 4 Jason Kururangi, 3 Stu Brown, 2 Mark Murdock, 1 Will Briggs.
Replacements: Rupert Cowan, Frank Sanders, Sam Young, Ollie Wolfe, Sam Hunt, Greg Cushing, Mathonwy Thomas, Fergus Austin.
Date: Thursday, December 8
Venue: Twickenham
Kick-off: 14.00
Referee: Dave Pearson (RFU)