Mike Haslett, the former Ulster and Irish Schools flanker who graduated to the Irish under-21 Demanding role for Haslett team at the Sanzar tournament in Argentina the summer before last, captains Cambridge in the 119th annual Varsity match against Oxford at Twickenham today. The son of former Ireland A and Dungannon coach Davey Haslett, he is one of three Irish players in Cambridge's ranks, the others being Blackrock centre Dave Quinlan and Ballymena and Ulster scrumhalf Mark Edwards, who is among the replacements.
Oxford shredded the form book last season, denying Cambridge a record sixth successive Twickenham triumph when flanker Luke Sherriff touched down to snatch an unlikely 16-13 win.
However Cambridge are considered rank outsiders this time. Oxford, with Australian international and ACT Brumbies Super 12 captain Brett Robinson in their back row, have won 10 matches during an outstanding term. Dave Kelaher, man-of-the-match a year ago, makes way for Robinson, and it will be a major surprise if Oxford do not claim the Bowring Bowl once more.
Meanwhile, the four Irish internationals involved in the Barbarians-Springboks game in Cardiff on Sunday - Brian O'Driscoll, Peter Clohessy, Malcolm O'Kelly and Andy Ward - all reported for duty at the weekly Irish training session in the ALSAA complex by Dublin Airport yesterday, though Clohessy (slight calf strain) and O'Driscoll (slight neck strain) did not take part.
Although Ronan O'Gara and Anthony Foley had recovered from injury last week to join in, the casualty list had lengthened compared to a week ago. Marcus Horan's groin strain, Victor Costello's bruised knee and Eric Miller's leg strain, were all sustained over the weekend, and thus the non-participants were almost as numerous as those who actually trained. In addition to long-term absentees Kieron Dawson, who underwent a neck operation last Saturday which will require at least four months' rehabilitation, and Simon Easterby (broken ankle and torn ligaments), there are a number of shorter-term casualties. These include Rob Henderson (shoulder trouble), Paul Wallace (groin), Anthony Horgan (rib), Jonathan Bell (hamstring), Jeremy Davidson (wrist), Paul Burke (broken arm), Girvan Dempsey (torn ankle ligaments), Guy Easterby (broken leg), Emmet Farrell (due back this month after his cruciate knee ligament operation), Tyrone Howe (groin), Shane Horgan (neck strain), Mike Mullins (calf strain), Geordan Murphy (ankle strain), Kevin Maggs (rib) and Tom Tierney (groin strain).
Martin Cahill, Simon Best and the upwardly mobile young Connacht openside Johnny O'Connor were again added to the original list and despite the injuries, manager Brian O'Brien hailed the sessions as another useful work-out.
"It was nice to see the four lads coming back, that meant a lot, and in fact it was a very rewarding session. There was a good high skill level and very few dropped balls. We now have 40 to 50 guys there who are not so far away from each other, which is a product of the last few years."
OXFORD: N Marsh; C Jennings, G van Pittius, S Adlen, S Danielli; S Fitzgerald, E Weston (capt); H Jeffreys, O Julyan, R Lehner, A Russell, S Miall, L Sherriff, B Robinson, J Hendriks. Replacements: T Ellis, P Nicholas, C Edwards, D Kelaher, G Cook, N Edwards, W Rubie.
CAMBRIDGE: J Moffat; B Rudge, D Quinlan, C Davis, M Rivaro; S Amor, M Chapman-Smith; J Bosch, C Derksen, J Meredith, E Mallett, M Purdy, A Innes, M Haslett (capt), M Count. Replacements: M Edwards, P Dunn, N Lomax or G Paulin, A Mitchell, T Brandt, W Fearnley, A Fries.
Referee: C White (RFU).
