Former All Blacks captain David Kirk flew halfway round the world for a reunion at Twickenham last week.

The scrum half, who led New Zealand to World Cup glory in 1987, attended the 127th Varsity match, where he met up with a dozen members of the talented 1988 Oxford University side.

This Dark Blues team, which contained six current or future internationals, is regarded by good judges as their strongest since the second World War.

In addition to Kirk, there were four Australians in winger ian Williams, current England backs coach Brian Smith, giant lock Troy Coker and full back Rog Egerton, while Wales centre David Evans made up the sextet.

Not surprisingly, Oxford won the Varsity Match by 27-7, their biggest margin in the past 60 years.

Kirk arrived on the morning of this year's Varsity Match, but others such as Smith, Coker and Evans were unable to be present.

However, Oxford lad, skipper Rupert Vessey, whose idea it was to have a reunion, flew in from the united States, where he now works.

The Dark Blues' coach in that memorable year, was Lynn Evans, now the director of rugby at Chinnor.

"In my opinion, that was the finest Oxford team since the War, he said "We've never had as many as six current or future internationals in one side before or since – remember five of them were Rhodes Scholars.

"It was a great day as players picked up on the banter between them from 20 years ago.”

Also in the squad was Irishman mark Egan, who led the side in 1990, which won at Twickenham despite a small mutiny from a number of players including Smith, while Carl Buckland and David Cook went on to play for Chinnor.

What made the day even more special was that Oxford won a thrilling Varsity Match 33-29.

"It may not have have been a game of the highest standard, but the adventure and mistakes from both sides made it a highly entertaining affair," said Evans Unfortunately, it was watched a crowd of under30,000 , the lowest attendance for more than 30 years.

"I think that all the autumn internationals and the credit crunch had something to do with it, but if we get a few more games like this one, then the crowds should increase."

Members of Oxford University’s talented side of 1988 meet up at Twickenham. Back (from left): Richard Horrocks-Taylor, Malcolm Brown, Carl Buckland, Stefan Williams, Tim Willis, Will Stileman, Mark Egan, Simon Wensley, Duncan Wood, David Cook. Front: Ian Williams, Eugene Egan, Rob Egerton, David Kirk, Alec Cameron, Rupert Vessey, Lynn Evans (coach) Gwyndaf Evans. Absent: Brian Smith,Troy Coker, David Evans and Errol Norwitz Picture: John Gaisford