It was a case of fourth time lucky for hooker Dan Rosen when Oxford University captain Joe Roff named his Twickenham team yesterday.

The 23-year-old secured a starting spot in the Dark Blues' side for next Thursday after being on the bench for the past three years.

But prop Ollie Tomaszczyk, a starter in 2006, did not even make the 22 as Oxford underlined the front-row strength they hope will fire them to victory.

Rosen said: "I feel fantastic. It is what I have been working for for the last four years.

"It's nice for that to come to fruition.

"When I was on the bench the first time I was an undergraduate and lucky to be in the squad.

"Since then I have come on leaps and bounds and finally it's paid off."

Rupert Allhusen and Ricky Lutton start alongside Rosen with props Kevin Davis, Richard Matthews and hooker Winston Cowie to come off the bench.

Their back line features five Blues with Roff at inside centre, while there are five debutants in the pack.

The bench has a five-two split in favour of forwards with Toby Henry and Tom Gregory the only backs.

Roff, who revealed this would be his last ever match, said victory would be the "cherry" on top of his career.

"It would be difference between a good memory, which the season will be come what may, and a great memory."

Roff informed the players of his selection on Sunday and admitted there were some tough choices.

"There are a couple of players who would have been selected in many other years.

"Sam Humphry-Baker and Chris Haw were particularly hard to leave out.

"We have had more depth this year than we have had for a long time. I'm happy with the balance of the team."

Cambridge, who will be captained by scrum half Ross Blake, have won the last two matches.

Blake said: "We don't have as big a squad as Oxford, but the 15 starting all deserve to be there.

"I would put Oxford as favourites and I think the underdogs tag will suit us."

Cambridge have yet to name their replacements.

HOW THEY LINE-UP Oxford: Chris Mahony*, Jonan Boto*, Euan Sadden, Joe Roff* (capt), Tom Tombleson*, Craig McMahon*, Brendan McKerchar, Rupert Allhusen, Dan Rosen*, Ricky Lutton, Jon Chance*, Dylan Alexander*, Peter Wright, Simon Ackroyd, Anthony Jackson. Reps: Winston Cowie*, Kevin Davis, Richard Matthews*, Bert Payne, Toby Henry, Peter Clarke, Tom Gregory.

Cambridge: Hamish Murray*, Andy Stevenson, Chris Lewis, Sandy Reid, James Wellwood, Ross Broadfoot, Ross Blake* (capt), Anthony Fitzpatrick, Joe Clark*, Jon Dawson*, Trevor Boynton*, John Blaikie*, Richard Bartholomew, Joe Wheeler, James Lumby. Reps: tbc.

* denotes Blue.