Oxford celebrate their victory in last year's clash at Twickenham © Getty Images

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News: Battle lines drawn for Varsity

Teams: England

Oxford University have picked a strong pack for next Thursday's Varsity Match against their Cambridge counterparts at Twickenham.

Former Sale back-row John Carter returns after missing last season's 21-10 victory over their bitter rivals and the lock will skipper a side which boasts an unchanged front row. The only new addition to the front five is American Derek Asbun.

The Oxford back-line is less experienced than the pack but there is one Blue behind the scrum in the shape of Sean Morris, who has been switched to the wing to facilitate the inclusion of Hong Kong centre Sebastian Perkins in midfield alongside Newbury's Gavin Turner.

As for Cambridge, they will be led by former Canada international Matt Guinness-King, who will start at outside centre in what is to be his final game before retirement.

The Light Blues have also named a powerful pack which will feature four players who featured last year: prop Stuart Brown, locks Jason Kururangi and Scott Annett and No.8 Ben Martin. There is also a start in the back-row for Dave Allen, formerly of Ulster.

Oxford University: Jon Hudson; Sean Morris, Sebastian Perkins, Gavin Turner, Cassian Bramham Law; Tom Mitchell, Sam Egerton; Hamish Macdonald, Govind Oliver, Will Kane, Karl Outen, Tom Evans, Derek Asbun, Louis Mather, John Carter (capt).

Replacements: Anthony Connor, Lewis Anderson, Jason Law, Jamie Durward, Ruairi O'Donavon, Harry Guinness, Matt Janney, Jonathan Direen.

Cambridge University: Tom O'Toole; Paul Loudon, Matt Guinness-King (capt), Kristian Cook, Robert Stevens; Steve Townend, Don Blake; William Briggs, Nigel Conroy, Stuart Brown, Jason Kururangi, Scott Annett, Ben Martin, Rob Malaney, Dave Allen.

Replacements: Mark Murdoch, Frank Sanders, Sam Young, Ollie Wolfe, Sam Hunt, Greg Cushing, Mathonwy Thomas, Fergus Austin.