Oxford and Cambridge have both announced their starting line-ups for the 129th Varsity Match, which will take place at Twickenham next Thursday.
There are only three survivors from the Oxford side beaten in last year's encounter: Australian doctor Nick Haydon, who will serve as skipper, Alex Cheesman and Canada international Stan McKeen. However, Sean Morris, Karl Outen and Govind Oliver, all of whom were on the Oxford bench 12 months ago, have been handed starts.
"There is a sense of excitement within the squad, combined with anticipation," Haydon said. "The day is drawing near and we can now just focus on winning. We can't fault the preparation we have had so far, as every week has brought with it new lessons. We have learned well, and we now feel ready to take on Cambridge.
"There is a good blend of youth and experience within our side and we have developed a very strong team bond. If we can harness the best attributes of both and use the knowledge we have acquired throughout the season then we will be confident come December 9."
Meanwhile, Cambridge will be led by South African James Richards, who takes over as captain from Wallaby lock Dan Vickerman. Richards will be winning his third Blue and also returning this year are Niall Conlon, Fred Burdon, Ben Maidment, as well as Jamie Gilbert, who was a replacement last time out.
"Preparations this year have been going really well for us as a team on the whole and I am very pleased with the attitude and commitment shown by all the guys," Richards said. "We believe in playing a high tempo, expressive game where we will look to move the ball and use the width as much as possible.
"During these next few days before December 9 the intensity gets lifted and the boys are reacting well and all looking forward to Twickenham and doing ourselves proud. The Varsity Match is a one-off game, it's the best team on the day that wins it regardless of the past and we are just focusing on ourselves and being the most prepared we can be. Hopefully if all goes well on the day we will get the win."
Oxford: Hamish Macdonald (Wadham); Govind Oliver (Green Templeton), Will Kane (Merton), Tom Evans (St Hugh's), Karl Outen (St Edmund Hall); Daniel Guinness (Keble), Louis Mather (University); Stanley McKeen (Harris Manchester), Nick Haydon (capt, University), Charlie Marr (Brasenose); Luke Jones (St Edmund Hall), Alex Cheesman (St Edmund Hall); Sean Morris (Somerville), Luke Fenwick (University), James Crozier (Kellogg).
Replacements: Anthony Connor (Keble), Lewis Anderson (University), Alex Rowe (Queen's), Ian Swan (Kellogg), Jeremy Mather (Lady Margaret Hall), Harry Guinness (St Anthony's), Thomas Yusef (University), James Wisson (St Anne's).
Cambridge: Niall Conlon (St Edmunds); Jamie Stuart Davidson Gilbert (St Edmunds), Stuart Brown (Clare), Tom Harrington (Wolfson), Charles Baird (St John's); Jason Kururangi (St Edmunds), Tom Stanton (St John's); Ben Maidment (St Edmunds), Sam Hunt (Girton), Gregory Douglas Cushing (Ridley Hall); Robert Stevens (Jesus), Paul Loudon (St Edmunds); Fred Burdon (St John's), Ilia Cherezov (St John's), James Richards (capt, Hughes Hall).
Replacements: Christopher George Hall (St John's), Tom Harris (Churchill), Andrew Daniel (St Edmunds), Scott Annett (Clare), Ben Martin (St Catharine's), Matthew M Guinness-King (St Catharine's), Miles Daly (Jesus), William Briggs (Magdalene).