RAY Lehner, the United States Eagles prop, has returned to Oxford University this season as they bid to avoid a record losing run in rugby's Varsity Match.

Lehner won his Blue in 1997, but was unable to obtain a course last year, so he spent his time helping Henley to come top of Jewson National 1 and with it promotion to Premiership 2.

Now Lehner is leaving Dry Leas to return to Iffley Road, but he will miss their early matches as he is involved in the World Cup.

There are an encouraging number of familiar faces in the Dark Blues squad this season. Hopefully, this will help them turn the tide, which has seen them lose the last five Varsity Matches for a record-equalling sequence.

Andy Collins returns and will be joined by Lehner in the front row.

Last year's first choice back row Andy Roberts and Adam Russell return, although the lanky Roberts won't play until mid-November after a shoulder operation. South African flanker Norman Celliers, this year's captain, will have plenty of advice in the back row from his predecessor Dave Kelaher, who has confirmed his intention to win a third Blue.

Behind the scrum, full back Richie Woodfine is back, along with two players who just missed out on Blues last year - winger Simon Danielli and centre John Kinniburgh.

Among the newcomers is centre Sam Adlen, originally from Leicester, and New Zelander Scott Weenink, who will challenge Seb Fitzgerald for the fly half berth.

Weenink has played cricket for the Kiwis' under 20 side. Another cricketer is scrum half James Weston from Watsonians. He represented Scotland Under 15s in the summer sport.

In the scrum, a new face is Newbury lock forward Simon Miall and No 8 Geraint Thomas from Bridgend.

Meanwhile, Paul Roberts, who spent the past two years trying to halt the decline of Oxford RFC, has joined the coaching staff of Oxford University.

Roberts had an unsuccessful time as coach at the Southern Bypass ground, as Oxford struggled.

But he earned praise for his ideas and the commitment he showed to the club. Roberts, who has moved to become forwards coach with Jewson 1 club Reading this season, received a call from the University's director of coaching, Steve Hill, to help out at Iffley Road.

"It's a great opportunity to work with fabulous players in an historic club," said Roberts who jumped at the chance, as it did not conflict with his Reading commitments.

He explained: "Reading train on Tuesday and Thursdays, while the University train on Mondays and have matches on Wednesdays."

Roberts will primarily work with the Greyhounds (second XV), but will have plenty of input during the combined training sessions with the first team squad.

Story date: Wednesday 22 September

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.