Oxford University are hoping their front rows will give them the edge in the Lehman Brothers Varsity Match.

Before you start chuntering about slipping standards in journalism, I must stress that 'rows' is not a typo.

The Dark Blues have four props and two hookers in their squad today and plan to use all of them to full effect.

Unlike last year, the front row has been the hottest area of competition in the Oxford ranks with prop Ollie Tomaszczyk, a starter in 2006, not making the 22 this time.

Oxford's strategy has been to replace both props and hooker at half-time to give them added 'grunt' in the second period.

This has worked well so far and Cambridge will not be looking forward to the prospect.

Hooker Dan Rosen will start alongside Ricky Lutton and Rupert Allhusen, but, barring any injuries, Winston Cowie, Kevin Davis and Richard Matthews will enter the fray at the interval.

Rosen said: "If you see three fresh guys coming on at half-time, you are thinking this is going to be tough.

"Playing front row for 80 minutes is tough enough anyway.

"The scrum has been where it has been won for the last couple of matches.

"We are not risking an injury as if someone has to come off, we can put another front row back on."

Cambridge have arguably the leading prop on show in former Saracens, Harlequins and Wasps tight-head Jon Dawson.

But Oxford hope they will be unable to cope with their strength in numbers approach.

Rosen said the past week has been about getting totally comfortable with their game plan and I expect the front-row battle to prove crucial.

"We have got to play to the game plan rather than be affected by the occasion," he said.

"We have got lots of guys with experience of this match. If they feel confident, then everyone else will."

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 from: Ashwin Reddy, Patrick Crossley, Llewellyn Pilbeam, Tommy Malaney*, Jamie Astbury, Juliano Fiori, Tom Basey, James Greenwood.

* denotes Blue.

Kick-off: 4pm.