Cambridge University have named eight Blues in their line-up for next Tuesday's Varsity Match but will still start as underdogs as they seek to hand Oxford an unprecedented sixth successive defeat.

The Dark Blues, who beat a strong Leicester side 19-10 last week, can call on just five Blues _ but they include captains past and present in the key back-row area.

Australian David Kelaher, who captained Oxford to a narrow 16-12 defeat last year, is chosen on the open side while his successor, South African Norman Celliers, could prove to be a pivotal figure at number eight.

Oxford also include two US Eagles internationals in their ranks, with Kurt Shuman in the centre and Ray Lehner at loose-head prop, while a third American _ lock Adam Russell _ will be hoping for better fortune than 12 months ago when he was forced to withdraw late on because of injury.

Ben Rudge, who won a Blue for Oxford in 1997, plays at centre for Cambridge, while fly-half Kensuke Iwabuchi _ capped 12 times by Japan _ is outside-half for the Light Blues.

Oxford: P Graham; T Beer, K Shuman, J Kinniburg, S Danilli; S FitzGerald, E Weston; R Lehner, P Nicholas, A Collins, A Russell, S Miall, L Sherriff, D Kelaher, N Celliers (capt).

Cambridge: G Paulin; G Williams, A Bidwell, B Rudge, R Morrow; K Iwabuchi, G Peacocke; J Cooke, J Hamilton-Smith, N Hennessy, H Innes, A Innes (capt), T Mouton, M Haslett, M Count.