Oxford University have now lost the last three Varsity Matches and won just one in six.

This makes very bad reading for Dark Blues players and supporters alike with last week's defeat giving Cambridge a 60-52 lead in the series.

Naturally questions will be asked, particularly about the position of Oxford director of rugby Steve Hill, who signed a new three-year contract before this season.

But the key point to make about this year's Twickenham clash was that it was highly entertaining and could have gone either way.

Crucially, Cambridge wrestled back the initiative with the introduction of replacement flankers Tom Malaney and Juliano Fiori.

None of Oxford's replace- ments added the "impact factor" that is so much part of the modern 22-man game.

But provided both teams can produce matches like last Thursday, then wholesale changes are not required, at Iffley Road at least.

The Varsity Match exists in an historical vacuum - a showpiece final that neither side qualifies for.

Its wide appeal cannot be taken for granted at time when competitive rugby is scaling new heights.

With record interest in the Premiership and the Heineken Cup producing bone-shuddering classic encounters almost at will, the Varsity Match could really suffer.

Supporters need to be entertained or they will go elsewhere.

I suspect even the most diehard Oxford fan would rather see England beat Scotland in the Six Nations at Twickenham in February than the Dark Blues defeat Cambridge in December.

But if the students keep serving up a spectacle, they will preserve an audience.

And if Hill and his coaching team can keep producing entertaining, high-level rugby, then no cull is needed.

  • The Varsity Match clearly meant a lot to Oxford captain Joe Roff and now he has retired, he will have plenty of time to consider just how much.

Asked after the game what his career highlight had been, he replied: "That's very difficult.

"I've been one of the very fortunate rugby players.

"I've not quite had the Martin Johnson fairytale ending.

"That would have been terrific, but I think I must have used up all my good fortune in the early part of my career."