OXFORD University’s Basil Strang says a strong competition for places is driving him to improve in every game.

The fly half starts against Worcester tonight looking to further cement his place in the starting XV for next month’s Varsity Match.

Strang has shone in this year’s campaign, none more so against Major Stanley’s XV when he scored 20 points in a 39-5 victory.

The 23-year-old, who is studying a master of science degree in teaching and learning at St Stephen’s House, believes the form of his teammates has ensured his standards do not drop.

He said: “The squad is so big, I feel a lot of pressure a lot of the time, because everyone wants to play in the Varsity Match.

“It keeps you focused, you have got to stay focused I think.

“If you don’t, you take your eye off the prize and essentially you have got to develop every game.

“You are not really contributing if you don’t, so everyone in the squad plays a part whether it is you on the pitch or others pushing you.”

Oxford University: Geiger, David, Hughes, Hogg, Stileman, Strang, de Berker, Ball, Hart, Morris, Taylor, Grant, Blomfield, Roberts-Huntley, Wilson. Reps: Thornton, Scaife, Lu, Marsden, MacGilchrist, Beaufils, McGagh, Holmes.