Australia's coach Eddie Jones paid tribute to Oxford after Sunday's game, lost by the University by 52 points to 27.

"I thought they played very well. Their work-rate was exceptional, their defence was very well-excecuted and they protected their own ball, providing a minimal number of turnovers.

"They made a lot of one-up tackles and I imagine that Cambridge will have quite a struggle in December."

Oxford captain Brett Robinson, who played under Jones for ACT Brumbies, was highly satisfied with his side's display.

"Basically, we went out with the aim of enjoying ourselves and playing to our best. We felt we achieved both those objectives.

"To be honest, the Australians were always in control, and we had to live off scraps.

"But we kept in the game because we were very aggressive in our defence, and our patterns were working well."

This was Robinson's first game since injuring his ribs on tour in Italy, but he lasted only 23 minutes before pulling a hamstring, putting a big question mark over his appearance in the Varsity Match on December 11.

"I"m just getting a bit too old," he said ruefully.

Mark Tainton, one of Oxford's coaches, said: "It was a day that none of the 25 players who played for Oxford will ever forget.

"I'd like to thank the Australians for coming and making it such a memorable day."