OXFORD RL return to action this weekend hoping a fortnight’s break has allowed them to get a thrashing at Rochdale Hornets out of their system.

Tim Rumford’s men crashed to a 76-16 defeat against the title challengers, but a break in fixtures last weekend allowed them time to regroup.

On Sunday, they welcome University of Gloucestershire All Golds to Iffley Road (3) aiming to put on a far better show.

Rumford, Oxford’s coach, said: “The week off definitely came at a good time.

“Some of our inexperienced guys got schooled by an experienced team at Rochdale.

“Although it wasn’t a good result for us, it’s another benchmarking exercise.

“It’s a lesson learned, we take it on the chin, review and go again.

“Gloucester are another good side, they’ve recruited well and seem to have a very good set up.

“I think they have been competitive with the northern sides and will be seeing the Oxford game as a good chance to get two points.

“We can improve and if we’re still in the game with ten or 15 minutes to go at the weekend then I think the confidence in our boys will grow and we’ll give ourselves a good chance.”

Oxford continue to be without long-term absentees Ricky Hopwood, Henry Swailes, Edd Vickers and Danny Allan, but Andy Speake is close to returning from a shoulder injury.

They won this fixture 38-24 last season, but Gloucester come into the game on the back of a 66-6 victory against Coventry Bears.

They will make two enforced changes, with Brad England’s loan from Salford now expired and Brett Scriven suspended.

Lee Greenwood, Gloucester’s head coach, said: “We played well against Coventry and I’ll be looking to see the same attitude against Oxford.

“We’ve struggled to put two good performances in a row so we need to play with the same intensity.”