Oxford RL head coach Tony Benson has urged his players to tighten up their defence for their Kingstone Press Championship One clash with Gateshead at Iffley Road on Sunday (3).

Last week Oxford lost 40-34 at London Skolars and Benson says they cannot afford to ship another seven tries this week.

“We have got to concede fewer points,” he said.

“We are playing really well as a team, but we just need to tidy up in some areas and improve defensively.”

Valu Bentley and Dave Ellison return to the Oxford squad, but Alex Thompson, Chris Clarke and Luke Evans remain long-term absentees.

Wing Shaun Robinson and loose forward Martin Roden will look to maintain the form that saw them named in the Premier Sports Championship One team of the week.

Gateshead have won just once this season and lost 54-16 at Oldham last week.

But Benson stressed: “Gateshead are a competitive team.

“It is important that we turn up and play, otherwise they will turn us over.”

Oxford RL: from Hoggins, B Robinson, Onyango, Halliwell, Price, Ellison, Stevens, Osborn, Clough, Leather, Calladine, Bentley, Fiander, Roden, Hadden, Johnson, Morris, S Robinson, Connick, Baird, Burch, Blewitt