JOE Roff is urging his Oxford University teammates to make the most of the Twickenham atmosphere in tomorrow's Varsity Match.

The Australian World Cup winner has been a calming influence in Oxford's impressive build-up to the big day and will relish another run-out at the home of rugby.

But the match against Cambridge can be a nervy occasion for students unused to playing in front of large crowds.

Roff said: "The biggest thing is probably the fact that you can't get overawed by the atmosphere, you need to make it work in your favour.

"You've got to soak it up, but not allow it to affect what you are doing on the field.

"In my early Tests it was hard to be able to do that. But you learn where you should be mentally and how to get there.

"For a lot of these guys, they won't have played in front of 40,000 plus people. There are not many games you can play in, which will have an atmosphere like it."

Oxford's rugby has been far more attractive than last year and Roff is looking for them to keep the ball moving.

"Obviously the first priority for us is to win," he said.

"But hopefully we can win in a style that's attractive for ourselves and the spec- tators."

Having won over 80 caps for Australia, Roff is unlikely to be short of confidence on the field.

But he says his teammates have grown in self-belief after victories over Premiership sides Leicester and North- ampton.

Roff said: "It has been good for the guys to know that they can attack against professional players.

"Professional players are still just players. They've just got more time to give to training.

"It doesn't mean that the guys wearing dark blue jerseys are any less talented or committed.

"Even when we had a few heavy losses to Wasps and Bristol, we never lost the belief in what we were doing."

He added: "The depth of the squad and the competition for positions is really good for motivation."

One area Roff has had to adapt is his position - from wing or full back to outside centre.

He admits it is "different" than what he is used to, but has grown into the role.

"I'm certainly getting more of the ball," he said.

"We've got a couple of real classy wingers and a great full back, so you want to play them in on your outside.

"That is only one part of what we've been planning, the whole team has really come together well.

"That is really a credit to Kevin Brennan and the way he has run things."

Roff added: "Certainly there has been an element of compensating for things I am not able to do any more.

"Passing on things to the younger guys is also very important.

"There is a lot of talent in the team and they can and should be aspiring to play professional rugby.

"I hope I can pass on something of what I have learned."

Has playing for Oxford been as Roff imagined?

He said: "It has been better than I expected, both the quality of the matches and the quality of the people that you are playing with."

Away from the rugby field, Roff is studying for a BA in politics, philosophy and economics.

He admits combining the two has been hard at times, but there will be more time for academia next term.

"I have just been another student," said Roff.

"There's so many diverse people around that rugby is just a small part of what they are interested in at Oxford.

"I've been free to get on with my work.

"I would like to make the most of the university experience outside rugby.

"This term seems like it has just been rugby or study.

"There are a lot of other aspects that I would like to enjoy as well."

Roff added: "I'm looking forward to the match and then relaxing for a little while afterwards, taking stock.

"I will have a traditional Christmas in the cold and I'm really looking forward to it."

And if any other internationals are considering following in Roff's footsteps, he has some reassuring words.

"Every day that passes reinforces to me that it was the right decision to make," said Roff.

"I've not heard of any professional player that has come here who hasn't had a great experience.

"I would definitely recommend it."

Oxford bookmaker River Racing has installed Cambridge as 4-6 favourites to win the Varsity match. Oxford are 5-4 on to win. Punters can get 14-1 on a draw.