Oxford University should face the toughest test of their Varsity Match build-up when they host Northampton at Iffley Road tonight (7.15).

The Premiership club have named a team similar to that which beat Newcastle in the Aviva 'A' League last week.

After Wasps’ pull-out in October, Northampton are the only top-flight club the Dark Blues will face before Twickenham.

And the visitors are fielding established Premiership players such as Paul Diggin and former England man Tom May alongside some promising youngsters.

Their biggest name is Stephen Myler, the England Saxons half half, who starts in the No 10 shirt - as he did in last season’s Heinken Cup final.

Captain John Carter returns at No 8 to lead the Dark Blues, alongside Louis Mather and AJ Connor in an all-new back row.

Will Rowlands, a former Northampton junior, starts at lock, with James Wisson replacing Gov Oliver at hooker and Andrew Grounds making way for Hmaish Macdonald at loose-head prop.

Wings Sean Morris and Marcus-Alexander Neil, plus fly half Tom Mitchell return in the back line, with Hee-won Cho, Jez Mather and Matt Janney dropping out.

Dark Blues head coach James Wade called for his side to be more clinical after their 27-12 victory over the Major Stanley’s XV.

He said: “We are getting pretty close with the selection. There are probably 26 players fighting for 23 spots.

“We have got really good competition, which is what we want.”

As is tradition, captain John Carter will have the final say in selection, something Wade, who is also Wasps’ high performance manager, has been happy to adapt to.

“I think the good thing is that John, I and James Gaunt (backs coach) work well as a team,” said Wade.

“We are singing off the same hymn sheet at the moment.

“I am sure there will be one or two heated discussions, but that is what we are here for.”

Reflecting on the Major Stanley’s match, Wade added: “Games like this are always disjointed because the other team comes in with no training and you don’t know what to expect.

“We scored some good tries, but the disappointing thing was that we broke their line six times in the first half and scored just twice.”

Oxford University: Hudson, Morris*, Perkins, Turner, Neil, Mitchell, Egerton, Macdonald*, Wisson, Direen, Rowlands, Evans*, Connor*, L Mather*, Carter* (capt). Reps: Oliver*, Kane*, Law, Durward, O’Donovan, H Guinness*, J Mather*, Grounds, Asbun.

Northampton: Tonks, Diggin, Armstrong, May, Elliot, Myler, Commins, Waller, Sharman, Mercey, Hicks, Craig, Harrison, Nutley, Manoa. Reps: McMillan, Herriott, Waller, Farmer, Warr, Day, Stephenson, Hughes, Woolford.

1