OXFORD University will use two matches in six days to zero in on their Varsity Match squad.

The Dark Blues host the Major Stanley’s XV today, followed by Sydney University on Monday.

After that, they have only one more match – at Ealing on December 2 – before taking on Cambridge at Twickenham on December 12.

Captain John Carter is among the experienced players rested today, alongside lock Will Rowlands and scrum half Sam Egerton, so James Harris skippers the side.

“We have got a big squad this year, so we are still looking at who is going to make the 23 for the Varsity,” said Carter.

“There is real competition for a lot of people. We have narrowed it down to 29 men.

“We have such a strong psychology that everybody is desperate for the team to do well as well as for their own ambitions.”

Oxford’s side still features ten Blues, including Harris, with Hamish Macdonald, more usually a loosehead prop, getting an opportunity to start at tighthead.

Stanley’s have named a very different team from the provisional squad released last week and include three USA internationals and one Russian.

The Americans are fly half Zach Pangelinan, lock John Cullen and flanker John Quill, with Russia’s Alexander Scherban at scrum half.

Henley flanker Ryan Newman, who continues his return from injury, and Grove centre Joe Bellinger are on the bench.

TODAY’S TEAMS.

Oxford University: Taylor, Hughes*, Lamont*, Janney*, S Williams, Hudson*#, Shorthose, Anderson*, Gardner*, H Macdonald*, Rickner*, Reeson-Price, Z Macdonald, Harris* (capt), Jones*. Reps: Heathcote, Wisson, Hannah, MacGilchrist, Patch, Davidson, Neil, Doe, Olivier.

Major Stanley’s XV: Strange (Bath), Sager (Rosslyn Park/London Wasps), Damant (Rosslyn Park), Mackey (Rosslyn Park), O’Lima (Esher), Pangelinan# (USA), Scherban# (Russia), Steventon (Henley), Tom Crozier (Loughborough), Palframan (London Irish), Roberts (Leicester Academy), Cullen# (USA), Yakimovich (Russia Under 20), Quill# (USA), Kenny (London Irish). Reps: Corradi (Richmond/Italy Under 20), Penny (Henley), Sheppheard (Old Eltham-ians), Wright (Old Alleyanians), Newman (Henley), Smart (Esher), Sexton (Ealing), Wicks (London Irish), Marr* (Old Alleyanians), Katz (Rosslyn Park), Bellinger (Grove), Rossiter (Richmond), Wells (Henley).

* denotes Blue # denotes international.