World Cup prop Kevin Tkachuk leads Oxford University against The Army at Iffley Road tonight (7.15), in their first outing since the Varsity Match.

With John Allen, who captained the Dark Blues in their disappointing 11-11 draw against Cambridge at Twickenham last month sidelined by a knee injury, the Canadian takes over the reins.

He is one of ten Blues in a strong-looking line-up. Two other casualties are scrum half James Gaunt (bruised ribs) and centre Ross Lavery, who turned his ankle in training.

The new Oxford captain with be elected at the end of the month, but Tkachuk won't be standing, as he is not returning next autumn.

At least six of the Blues side will be back, including versatile forward Dave Lubans, who must be a strong candidate to follow his fellow Australian as skipper.

Others returning are wingers John Bradshaw and Adam Slade, fly half John Fennell, Gaunt, No 8 Tom Hayman and lock Adam Harris who was unlucky not to win a Blue.

Four Oxford players - prop Matt Street, hooker Andy Dalgleish, Harris and Hayman - have been selected to play for England Students away to Italy on February 14.

Matt Honeyben, the 2002 fly half, who missed the whole of last season, has had an operation on his injured shoulder.

Oxford Univ (v The Army): J Rivers, J Bradshaw, S Douglas, A Magro, K Dixon, G Barr, P Jenkins, K Tkachuk (capt), A Dalgleish, M Street, D Lubans, A Harris, C Abbott, R Woods, T Hayman. Reps: D Hughes, H Nwume, C Hadfield, D Abbott, A Edington, M Forth, D Hammond.