NEWLY-ELECTED captain Fergus Taylor insists Oxford University are in a good place despite losing valuable experience, writes JACK JOHNSON.

The Dark Blues are targeting an assault on a seventh Varsity Match victory in a row this year.

But they will have to cope without the likes of Henry Lamont, Lewis Anderson, George Cullen, Matt Janney and Ian Williams, who have won 20 Blues between them.

Taylor, who was elected captain on January 25, led the Dark Blues for the first time against Crawshays last night and says it is a “real privilege” to skipper the side.

The 23-year-old is backing Oxford’s young guns to step up to the plate.

“We are losing a lot of experience,” said Taylor, who is studying a part-time masters degree in literature and arts at St Catherine’s College.

“On the other hand, the great thing about our team last year was we had guys who were really young.

“Tom Stileman is 18, fresh from school and he was man of the match.

“There was Ed David, Matt Geiger, guys on the bench Will Thornton . . . Will Wilson as well, who is an under graduate fresher and is playing exceptionally well.

“We are really blessed with the fact we have a lot of young players who have that experience from last year.

“We are in a really good place from that perspective.”

One contributing factor to Oxford’s recent success and their record-breaking six Varsity Match wins in a row is the team spirit established at Iffley Road.

Introduced by John Carter in 2011, this mantra was carried on by Jacob Taylor in 2014 and George Messum last year.

For Taylor, who also teaches Latin part-time at Sherbourne Preparatory School in Dorset, it is something he is determined to continue in his reign as captain.

He said: “It is the reason why we have been so successful in the last six years.

“Our motivation for winning the Varsity Match is not derived from trying to score more points and winning or just getting the trophy, but that we look to cultivate a culture.

“Everyone in the side backs each other and the reason why people want to perform is because they want to make sure they do not let their teammates down.”