RUGBY UNION: Bath trio head Stanley's challenge

2:33pm Wednesday 19th November 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Bath and England A flanker Andy Beattie lines up for Major Stanley’s XV in tonight’s traditional clash with Oxford University at Iffley Road (7).

Beattie is joined by fellow Bath players Tom Cheeseman and Lee Audis in a squad that includes 12 old Blues and is coached by Oxford’s 2002 captain Fraser Gemmell.

Stanley’s are skippered by No 8 Tom Hayman, while wing Jonan Boto, prop Richard Matthews and lock Jon Chance all played in last year’s Varsity Match at Twickenham.

Local interest is provided by Oxford Harlequins pair Andy Noyce and Paul DeLange, plus Nottingham’s Ben Thompson, who has represented Oxfordshire at rugby and cricket.

Dark Blues captain Peter Clarke has named nine Blues in his squad, with prop Kevin Davis making his first start of the season following a knee injury.

No 8 Chris Davies returns after fracturing an ankle on tour against British Columbia in September.

Lock Ian Kench is back after a minor groin strain to partner Bert Payne.

Tim Catling is preferred to the livewire Will Browne at left wing.

Oxford University: Mahony*, Morris, Burnett, Gregory*, Catling, Swanson, Henry, Davis*, Oliver#, Thompson, Kench, Payne*, McKeen#, Clarke* (capt), Davies. Reps: Rosen*, Lutton*, Van Zyl, Wright*, McKerchar *, Cheesman, Browne.

Major Stanley’s XV: Pointer, Boto*, James*, Cheeseman, Jenkins, Graham, Barr*, Matthews*, Moyce, Urpens, Chance*, Pittfield, Beattie, Abbott*, Hayman* (capt). Reps: Protherough, Allhusen*, Wyllie, Du Toit*, Audis, Noyce, Thompson, Try, DeLange, Rickner, Fennell*, Tombleson*, Mezger*.

* Blue, # international