JONATHAN Hudson said belief was the key to Oxford University’s comeback against Newport Gwent Dragons.

And the fly half, who captained Oxford in their 20-18 defeat at Iffley Road, wants the Dark Blues to take encouragement from their performance.

The Dragons led 20-6 at the break, but could have lost by the end of an entertaining clash.

Hudson said: “The second half was much better. I think it was just that bit of belief going through the side.

“You can tend to put these Premiership level clubs on a pedestal.

“We started getting that belief and almost won the game.

“A lot of their points in the first half came because we were conceding too many penalties and gave them too much territory.

“Lewis Anderson made a real difference in the scrums when he came on in the second half.

“He has been a real stalwart for the club in the past three to four years.”

The Dragons head coach, former London Welsh boss Lyn Jones, fielded a mixed side, captained by former Wales international lock Adam Jones.

“It would have been the first ‘Premiership’ scalp that I have had with the Blues,” said Hudson.

“But we still have some big games to come against Worcester Warriors and Russia.”

Final-year medical student Hudson deputised for regular skipper John Carter, who is recovering from concussion.

“I have been here six years and have played for every team in the club,” he said.

“It was a real honour to captain the side in JC’s absence.

“He is the real leader and it will be good to get him back.”

Hudson started last year’s Varsity Match at fly half, but played at full back in 2011.

“At the moment, I think the coaches are just looking at combinations,” said Hudson.

“We had got a lot of talented backs in the squad.

“I can play ten and 15 and it just depends on where I am most useful for the team structure.”

Hudson also has a claim to fame as the squad’s only international player.

“My parents live in Switzerland and I lived there for three years, which qualified me on residency grounds,” he explained.

“I played one match against Germany in 2008 or 2009.

“It is not something I think about much now, but maybe sometyhing to return to at the end of my career.

“The team are most ex-pats, but the sport is growing out there.”

Off the field Hudson is busy training to be a doctor, but says playing for the Dark Blues helps take the pressure off.

“I have just got to give myself fully to everything,” he said.

“The Varsity Match is on December 12 and the way I see it is that is I have got a month and half to prepare for my finals after that.”