Oxford University captain John Carter backed his players to repeat last year’s victory as he named his Varsity Match squad at Twickenham.

Carter, who has selected seven old Blues in his pack to face Cambridge University on December 8, will look for their 2010 experience to pay dividends.

Oxford went into last year’s Twickenham clash as underdogs, but produced their best performance of the season to defeat their arch rivals 21-10.

And Carter, who missed last year’s match due to injury, believes his side are in good shape for the showdown.

Asked if they could repeat that performance, Carter said: “I would hope so. We have done what we can to prepare over the last four months.

“The nature of sport is that it is a matter of who turns up on the day.

“Hopefully, we have done everything we can to take chance out of the equation.”

No 8 Carter missed last year’s match with a shoulder injury, but said that was just one factor motivating him.

“It is one incentive, certainly from an outside spectator’s point of view,” said Carter.

“But for me it is all about the individuals coming together to make the team, with 23 people that you wholeheartedly trust.”

Carter added: “Between then and now, it will be a lot about trying to contain the excitement and anticipation before we walk on to the field.”

As for making his choices, Carter said: “It has all been difficult. With Dan Guinness injured, it made the back row and second row selection a bit easier, but it was still tough.

“The centres were tough to choose because Harry Guinness and Gavin Turner were both returning late from injury – and there was Scott Fernquest, who didn’t make the squad.

“We don’t have huge amounts of depth, but we do have it where we need to make the most of it.

“There have been some strong performances in the Greyhounds from which players like Jason Law have got their opportunities.”

Carter added: “You have got to make rugby decisions at the end of the day.

“If you make them in terms of your friends, you are doing a disservice to those who have voted you in. Hopefully I have stuck to the ethics and the spirit of the club.”

Oxford will have the same tight five as 2010, with Hamish Macdonald, Gov Oliver and Will Kane in the front row, plus vice-captain Karl Outen and Tom Evans at lock.

The only newcomer is impressive American Derek Asbun at blindside flanker.

Wing Sean Morris, a winner in 2008 and 2010, is the only Blue among the backs, although Harry Guinness, Dan’s brother, is again on the bench – from where he won his Blue last year.

Oxford University.

Hudson, Morris*, Perkins#, Turner, Bramham-Law, Mitchell, Egerton, Macdonald*, Oliver*, Kane*, Outen* (vice-capt), Evans*, Asbun, L Mather*, Carter* (capt). Reps: Connor*, Anderson*, Law, Durward, O'Donavon, H Guinness*, Janney, Direen.

Cambridge University.

O’Toole, Loudon*, Guinness-King* (capt), Cook, Stevens*, Townend, Blake, Briggs, Conroy, Brown*, Kururangi*, Annett*, Martin*, Malaney, Allen. Reps: Murdoch, Sanders, Young, Wolfe, Hunt*, Cushing*, Thomas, Austin.

Referee: Dave Pearson (RFU).

TMO: Dave Matthews (RFU).

Assistant referee 1: Joe Roff (Oxford University captain 2007).

Assistant referee 2: Ross Blake (Cambridge University captain 2007).

* denotes Blue. # denotes international.