JOE Roff says beating Leicester Tigers will do wonders for Oxford University's morale as they prepare for the Varsity Match.

The former Australian international had an impressive game at outside centre in Monday's 18-17 victory at Iffley Road.

And with the entire backline putting in their best defensive display so far, there was a lot to please the supporters peering through the fog.

Roff said: "The win was really important for morale. You can work on all the specific aspects of the game, but winning is as important as anything in our preparations.

"Mentally, to beat a team like Leicester at home is a great boost."

Key to victory was the patience Oxford showed when they spent much of the final quarter in Leicester's 22.

Roff said: "We spoke about it in the changing rooms and we were able to stay composed.

"Towards the end of the match it actually looked like it was Leicester who were getting frustrated and us getting more focused, which is a great credit to the strength of the team at the moment.

"Our patience was excellent and when it comes to the Varsity Match that is going to be important."

Roff's arrival in Oxford has helped generate plenty of publicity for the team, and BBC Radio Five Live listeners got to hear his thoughts during Saturday's Wales versus Australia clash.

He said: "I was just going down for the game, but Matt Burke pulled out so they were looking for someone to fill in.

"They saw me walking around and invited me to pass comment on the game.

"I helped out with the summarising and quite enjoyed it, but I wouldn't say I'm destined for a career like that.

"It was nice to see some old friends and it was the first Test I've been on the other side of the fence."

Meanwhile, Oxford's director of rugby Steve Hill revealed his pride at their victory.

He said: "I think the most pleasing apsect was how we fronted up in the forwards.

"Leicester are known for being very aggressive, but in the first ten minutes we defended three driving mauls on our line.

"I thought Doug Abbott led the team excellently and the whole back row were superb.

"Leicester are very good at holding teams off and winning in the last minute, so I was a bit worried.

"But we were missing Richard Graham, Kevin Brennan, Marcel Du Toit, John O'Connor and Jonan Bono.

"That is five of the potential Varsity Match starting 15 not playing, but it shows how everybody if fighting for places."