OXFORD RL return to action this weekend hoping a fortnight’s break has allowed them to get a thrashing at Rochdale Hornets out of their system.
Tim Rumford’s men crashed to a 76-16 defeat against the title challengers, but a break in fixtures last weekend allowed them time to regroup.
On Sunday, they welcome University of Gloucestershire All Golds to Iffley Road (3) aiming to put on a far better show.
Rumford, Oxford’s coach, said: “The week off definitely came at a good time.
“Some of our inexperienced guys got schooled by an experienced team at Rochdale.
“Although it wasn’t a good result for us, it’s another benchmarking exercise.
“It’s a lesson learned, we take it on the chin, review and go again.
“Gloucester are another good side, they’ve recruited well and seem to have a very good set up.
“I think they have been competitive with the northern sides and will be seeing the Oxford game as a good chance to get two points.
“We can improve and if we’re still in the game with ten or 15 minutes to go at the weekend then I think the confidence in our boys will grow and we’ll give ourselves a good chance.”
Oxford continue to be without long-term absentees Ricky Hopwood, Henry Swailes, Edd Vickers and Danny Allan, but Andy Speake is close to returning from a shoulder injury.
They won this fixture 38-24 last season, but Gloucester come into the game on the back of a 66-6 victory against Coventry Bears.
They will make two enforced changes, with Brad England’s loan from Salford now expired and Brett Scriven suspended.
Lee Greenwood, Gloucester’s head coach, said: “We played well against Coventry and I’ll be looking to see the same attitude against Oxford.
“We’ve struggled to put two good performances in a row so we need to play with the same intensity.”
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