Oxford University will be looking for the perfect morale-booster before the Varsity Match when they complete their build-up against Combined Northern Universities at Durham tomorrow (2).

The Dark Blues have enjoyed some notable wins this term with victories over the likes of NEC Harlequins, London Irish, Pertemps Bees and Bristol Shoguns.

And they will be keen to go into their Twickenham showdown against Cambridge on Tuesday, December 7 with another triumph under their belts.

Steve Hill, Oxford's director of coaching, said: "We are going up north expecting a very tough game.

"It seems likely that a number of their team will be contracted players at Newcastle Falcons, and if that is the case, then it is exactly what we want prior to Twickenham."

With it being the last game before the Varsity Match, Oxford's line-up to face the Combined Northern Universities provides a strong indication of the side likely to step out at Twickenham.

"Very much so," said Hill. "I think we would like to have as close to the starting 15 as we can.

"There are two positions over which we have real decisions to make," said Hill.

"But I think in the main, Dave Lubans (captain) is pretty clear in his mind which way we think we want to go."

Tom Hayman returns at No 8, in place of Peter Raftery, following an ankle injury.

Missing are hooker Andy Dalgleish (ankle) and full back Anthony Knox (shoulder), but both are expected to be fit for the Varsity Match.

Dan Rosen continues at hooker, with Tom Maynard in the No 15 shirt.

Meanwhile, it's another busy cup weekend for Wallingford, whose main priority is their game at home to Somerset side Midsomer Norton in the Powergen Junior Vase tomorrow.

Then on Sunday, Wallingford entertain Witney in the Oxfordshire Cup second round.

Chris Murray's inclusion for Witney is the west Oxfordshire side's only significant change.

Bicester have been given a walkover into their third round as the Defence Academy were unable to fulfil the fixture due to Army commit- ments. WEEKEND LINE-UPS SATURDAY

Oxford Univ (v Combined Northern Univs, away): Maynard, Bradshaw, James, Whittingham, Mezger, Fennell, Gaunt, Laffin, Rosen, Brophy, Lubans (capt), Van Zyl, Durham, Woods, Hayman. Reps: Neave, Street, Harris, Raftery, Abbott, Lavery, Boto, Graham.

Witney 2nd (v Cheltenham Saracens, away, meet 12am): from Stewart (capt), Monks, Dunbar, Taafe, Phillips, K Evans, Grant, O Smith, H Smith, Goodgame, Sprigg, D Godfrey, Holliday, S Copperwheat, Richens, Caffekey, Woodward, Rowles, G Williams, Fowler.

Oxford Harlequins 3rd (v Slough 2nd, home, meet 11.30am, 12.30 ko).

Oxford Harlequins 4th (v Grove 2nd, away, meet Horspath Road 11am, 12.30 ko).

SUNDAY

Witney (v Wallingford, Oxon Cup, away): Wheater, C Strutt, J Lamb, Murray, Rollinson, Hollick (capt), Austen, Brocklebank,Merriman, Gosling, Chatterton, Habberley, Ferris, Worrall, Lyall. Reps: H Lamb, Edwards, Serle, Rowles, Dore.