FOR the past three years Dave Tibbott studied in Oxford and played for Henley Hawks.

But tomorrow he will start at right wing for Cambridge.

The 25-year-old former London Wasps player joined Cambridge this year after completing his studies at Oxford Brookes.

He said: "You don't know whether or not you are going to make it into the team as it is a long way from the start of the season to the Varsity Match.

"I was always confident that I would be good enough, but you don't who your rivals will be. There are some outstanding players throughout our team and on the bench.

"When I started at Oxford Brookes my goal was to get a first so I could get into Cambridge for real estate finance. I'm looking forward to it and I've got friends playing for Oxford like Kevin Brennan and James Jones."

Tibbott was a professional at Wasps for three years before joining Henley, but he didn't play for Brookes.

Will his Oxfordshire connections be an added incentive tomorrow?

Tibbott said: "Every player in the squad is as determined as each other. It's something that doesn't really cross my mind.

"When I was at Oxford Brookes I had nothing to do with Oxford University."

Tibbott is normally an inside centre, but is happy playing on the wing for Cambridge.

He said: "It was just the way it fell for the team. We have got a lot of good midfielders - Stef Thomas and Joe Ansbro are very solid.

"At the time we didn't have any out and out wingers, so I just filled in there."

Tibbott played at Twickenham for Wasps, beating Bristol in a Premiership Under 21 final, so he knows the stadium.

Likewise, he is and his teammates are fully aware of Oxford's former Australian international, Joe Roff.

He said: "As good a player as Joe is, we can't give him too much respect.

"We are aware that we are up against someone so good, but he has got 14 other excellent players around him."

While Tibbott is hoping for an exciting match, he admits: "I think every player here would take a win regardless of how the game turns out."

Tibbott has also followed Henley's progress this season with interest.

He said: "Now I've left, Henley are doing really well.

"I hope to go back there when I get a job. It's a lovely place to play.

"Second spot is up for grabs. They've just got to get more bonus points."