OXFORD University take on a Major Stanley’s XV this afternoon at Iffley Road (3.30).

It will be the 94th time the Dark Blues have faced the invitational team, which includes players from Oxfordshire clubs Henley, Grove, Oxford Harlequins and Banbury.

The Dark Blues have three games until they go for a historic sixth successive Varsity Match victory over Cambridge University at Twickenham on December 10.

Fly half George Cullen is rested so Andrew Abraham starts at ten, while back row forwards Will Thomas and Will Wilson return from injury.

Oxford captain George Messum said: “We have had a really good training week, everything gearing towards the match.

“We know it is getting towards Varsity time – it is November, you get the cold and that feeling that we are gearing towards it.

“Training has been incredibly intense and we are looking forward to playing against a strong team.”

TODAY’S TEAMS

Oxford University: Geiger, Stileman, Janney, Lamont, Hughes, Abraham, de Berker, Anderson, Halpin, Williams, Taylor, Roberts-Huntley, Faktor, Messum, Heathcote. Reps: Thornton, Ball, Lu, MacGilchrist, Marsden, Wilson, Thomas, Kershaw, David.

Major Stanley’s XV: Pearham (Henley), Tombleson (Richmond), Lewis (Barnes), Goode (Banbury), Randall, Goggin (both Henley), Shaw (Hartpury), Eckert (Grove), Church, Jackson (both Henley), Haggett (Cardiff Blues), Purchase (Oxford Harlequins), Abbott (Barnes), Salustri (Richmond), Crossland (Una). Reps: Burdis (Richmond), Fuller (Henley), Jeffries (Una), Payne (Henley), Fisilau (Oxford Harlequins).