After eight wins in a row, you might not think that Oxford University need strengthening but they bring in an Australian international for their trip to Manchester Sale tonight, writes Michael Knox.

Brett Robinson, capped 16 times by his country, makes his debut in the back row with less than three weeks to go before the University Match at Twickenham on December 12.

Robinson's arrival at Oxford has been delayed by medical studies Down Under. He is studying for an MSc in orthopaedics at Wadham College. He will be at Oxford for at least 18 months.

Robinson's pedigree is impressive. He made his test debut against Italy in 1996 but missed the last World Cup due to surgery on a shoulder injury.

He is also the captain of ACT Brumbies, for whom he has made 40 appearances in the Super 12 competition for the top club sides in the southern hemisphere.

Although not match fit, Robinson, 30, must be a first-choice flanker, which presents coach Steve Hill with some selectorial difficulties.

Hill said: "Brett's played many big matches, where his maturity and calmness will be aninvaluable asset."

Robinson has not played for a month, but by the time, the University Match comes round, he will be part of a dynamic back row.

Tonight, Robinson will be playing alongside fellow Australian Dave Kelaher and No 8 Luke Sherriff .

This means there's no room for flanker Ed Hallett and Jason Bolger, who have been in excellent form this season, while the regular No 8 Jason Hendriksz is recovering from the leg injury he received in the Stanley's game.

Former captain Kelaher makes his seasonal debut after a back injury.

In his fourth year at Oxford, Kelaher was captain in 1998 and enjoyed an outstanding game in last year's Varsity Match when the Dark Blues beat Cambridge for the first time in six years.

Another man sidelined tonight is centre Sam Adlen, who crashed into a lampost after his bicycle brakes failed, suffering elbow and shoulder injuries in the process.

Ross Jennings switches from wing to centre, while exciting runner Will Rubie comes in on the wing.

Peter Nicholas takes the hooker's' role from Ollie Julyan, who nevertheless is probably the first choice in that position.

**Oxford Univ: Marsh, Rubie, Jennings, Van Pittius, Danielli, FitzGerald, Weston, Jeffreys, Nicholas, Ellis, Miall, Russell, Robinson, Kelaher, Sherriff.