VARSITY MATCH PREVIEW

DEREK Asbun would love to use playing for Oxford University as a springboard towards USA caps, but he is not getting ahead of himself.

The 23-year-old, who starts at blindside flanker, twice made the All American university side before coming to Oxford and has shone in his first term at Iffley Road.

With prop Will Johnson, a Blue in 2009, having gone on to represent the US Eagles, Asbun (pictured) would love to emulate him.

He said: “If possible and God willing, I would love to play as long as I can and at as high a level I can.

“But it is one step at a time and my focus is on the Varsity Match.”

As for making the team, Asbun, who is the only non-Blue in Oxford’s pack, said: “I feel really excited.

“It was a big relief to be selected, but also a big responsibility.

“It is huge honour and to be getting a Blue is a very big rugby achievement.

“But the biggest thing is to perform as a team.”