OXFORD University captain John Carter says tonight’s home clash with Newport Gwent Dragons will provide a great marker for their Varsity Match campaign.

The Dark Blues host the Dragons in a 7.15pm kick off at Iffley Road, looking to build on Friday’s 6-3 victory over Trinity College Dublin, which was their first success of the campaign.

Carter is still recovering from concussion sustained on Oxford’s French tour, so fly half Jon Hudson skippers the side.

“The game against the Dragons comes very early in our competitive season and we are still getting used to playing with each other,” said Carter.

“We are under no illusion how hard this game is going to be. Whatever the result, it will be a very good marker for where we are at this stage of the season.”

Dragons, who are coached by former London Welsh boss Lyn Jones, are captained by former Wales international lock Adam Jones.

Hudson is one of six Blues in Oxford’s starting line-up and is partnered at scrum half by last year’s Varsity man-of-the-match Sam Egerton.

Flankers Tom Reeson-Price and Alexander Macdonald get their chance alongside No 8 Fraser Heathcote, who starts for a second straight match.

The Dark Blues can expect a boisterous atmosphere as Iffley Road is hosting College Night.

TONIGHT’S TEAMS

Oxford University: Doe, S Williams, Vallance*, Alexander-Neil, Lamont*, Hudson *# (capt), Egerton *, Irvine, Gardner*, tbc, Greeff, Rowlands*,  Pembroke, Reeson-Price, A Macdonald, Heathcote. Reps: Wisson, Anderson*, Symington, Patch, Shorthose, Taylor, Turner*, Cox. * denotes Blue. # denotes international.
Newport Gwent Dragons: O’Driscoll, Hutt, Pewtner, Roblin, Hewitt, S Jones, L Jones,  Williams, Palmer, Jeffries, J Davies, A Jones (capt),
Griffiths, Benjamin, Crummins. Reps: Hutchinson, Garrett, Mills, Andrews, D Jones, Sawyer, O Davies, E Davies, Morgan.