Oxford University will again be led by an overseas player next season, if the latest indications emanating from Iffley Road are a guide.

For the first two matches this term, the Dark Blues have been skippered by New Zealander Fraser Gemmell.

The back row forward, whose father Bruce played two Tests for the All Blacks against Australia in 1974, only gained a Blue by the skin of his teeth, when coming on as a second- half replacement in last month's 9-6 win over Cambridge at Twickenham.

However, that was because Oxford had an exceptional back row.

Gemmell is still a strong player in his own right, having captained Auckland University and played for the New Zealand Barbarians.

When he was chosen to lead the Blues in their first match against the RAF, it was no surprise as they were fielding a weakened side.

But when the big guns came back against the Army last week, and Gemmell kept the captaincy, it was an indication that he is a prime candidate for the top job next season.

He will also lead the side against the Penguins at Iffley Road tonight (7.15), when the Blues make four changes - one of them positional - to the starting line-up that beat the Army.

All of them are in the pack. Ed Brooks replaces Peter Nicholas at hooker, Adam Russell comes into the second row.

Simon Miall switches to the back row, where he is joined by promsing Welsh player Llywelyn Ap Gwilym

"The players are happy with Fraser as captain, so we decided not to change it," explained director of rugby Steve Hill.

The new captain will be elected at a meeting of the Blues next week.

Due to the recent poor weather, there will be limited parking next to the ground for the Penguins game, so spectators are asked to park their cars off the Iffley Road.

Oxford Univ (v Penguins): W Rubie, S Stafford, D Marsh, J Dick, W Ellerby, S Fuchigami, D Taberner, K Tkachuk, E Brooks, M Street, A Russell, C Edwards, S Miall, S Miall, L Ap Gwilym, F Gemmell (capt). Reps: D Sherwin, J Hill, B Cosgrave, R Sugden, A Nishioka, M Forth, M Honeyben.

Oxford University Under 20s went down 37-28 to Middlesex on Saturday.

The Oxford tries came from Nick Wood (2), Mark Forth and Ieuan Owen while Mark Lynagh kicked two penalties and a conversion.