Oxford University captain Nick Haydon says he will be a very proud man when he leads the Dark Blues out for today’s Nomura Varsity Match at Twickenham (2).

The Australian scrum half has been one of Oxford’s stand-out players in their decidedly mixed campaign.

But he will need to be at his inspirational best if they are to avenge last year’s 31-27 defeat against a Cambridge side who are clear favourites.

The Light Blues have won nine matches to Oxford’s two this term and pushed a strong Northampton side very hard.

Haydon said: “It’s a very proud moment for any captain to lead his team out on the field.

“But to lead out a very tight group of guys that you’ve worked extremely hard with for 12 months, at Twickenham, for our biggest challenge – I’ll be extremely proud and very eager.”

Oxford, however, have always played with spirit as wing Luke Jones, who wins his first Blue today, stressed.

“Playing in the Varsity Match will be the highlight of my rugby career,” said Jones.

“It’s difficult to predict the result – it’s a one-off game and we’ve had quite a difficult run-in, but we’re really coming together as a side and we’re really looking forward to playing for each other.

“Although we are probably underdogs going in to the game, we’re certainly capable of pulling off a victory.”

And inside centre Alex Cheesman, who is winning his third Blue, said Oxford must learn lessons from last year.

He said: “Cambridge were a lot more clinical than us. We have to take the blame for not putting a lot more points on the board in the first half.”

l ANDREW Small will be-come the first New Zealander to referee the Varsity Match when he takes up the whistle today.

And his assistants will be father and son Andrew and Luke Pearce.

l OXFORDSHIRE Under 20s begin their assessment and training on Friday, January 7 at Oxford RFC.

Their first fixture is against Oxford University Under 21s on January 23.

Oxon’s matches in the National Under 20 Championship are at home to Buckinghamshire (February 20) and Dorset & Wilts (March 6) and away to Berkshire (March 20).