Nick Haydon stressed Varsity Match places are very much up for grabs as Oxford University prepare to host Cardiff Blues on Monday.

The Dark Blues skipper will lead his side out at Twickenham six weeks today, but he said there was still time for players to force their way in.

Oxford host Cardiff, Sale, Major Stanley’s XV, Saracens and Northampton before facing Cambridge on December 9.

Haydon said: “We are still considering our options.

“You will see from the team to face Cardiff that there have been some changes.

“We are still trying to give fringe players a go.

“Some of the key positions such as the front row are starting to take shape, but there is still a lot to play for.”

Haydon’s side to face Cardiff sees prop Lewis Anderson, lock Joe Lane, fly half James McKinnell and wing Huw Williams given starts.

“Stan McKeen will be back the following week, and Tom Evans, Dan Guinness and Jamie Gibson will be in contention over the next month,” said Haydon.

“Once they start returning, that will really focus our pack.

“But we are not counting on all of these guys being back for the Varsity Match, “We have got plans in the pack for them not being back.

“The guys there are making these roles their own and will be hard to shift.”

Haydon is hoping for a similar size crowd that saw their 53-29 defeat to Wasps and said Monday’s match would be a good benchmark for his players.

“Cardiff Blues played against Cambridge on Monday and won 49-34,” said Haydon.

“So Monday will be a really good opportunity for us to get a comparison if Cardiff field a similar team.

“We tend to just focus on ourselves, but at some stage it is nice to see what your opposition are up to.”

Instead of facing Ospreys this week, the Dark Blues took on Henley Hawks in an opposed training session.

It proved an obvious link-up with backs coach James Gaunt, physio Ali James and former captain Andy Dalgleish playing at Henley.

Haydon said: “It was a great experience and beneficial to both teams.

“Ali and James had a run against us, which gave us a few targets to tackle.

“No doubt we will be trying to get some of our younger guys playing down there after Christmas.”

Oxford University (v Cardiff Blues): Crozier, Fenwick, Cheesman*, H Guinness, Williams, McKinnell, Haydon* (capt), Anderson, Oliver, Kane, Lane, Outen*, Rowe, L Mather, Carter* . Reps: Connor, MacDonald, Greeff, Hitchings, J Mather, Marr, Jones. * denotes Blue.