NEW skipper Dom Waldouck hopes he can pass on his big game experience and end Oxford University’s Varsity Match woes.

The 30-year-old was elected as captain by his fellow players at the Iffley Road pavilion on Monday evening, replacing Conor Kearns.

Oxford have been beaten by Cambridge University on their last two visits to Twickenham, where they have struggled to deliver on the big day after promising performances in warm-up games.

Waldouck, who joined the Dark Blues last September, won three Aviva Premiership titles and the Heineken Cup during an eight-year spell with London Wasps.

The centre is hoping his experience can rub off on the rest of the squad when he leads them out at the home of English rugby in ten months’ time.

He said: “Last year was great in terms of the step forward we made in the way we were playing.

“Some of the performances at Iffley Road were really outstanding and some of the best rugby Oxford have played in recent years, a lot of people were saying that.

“Unfortunately, that did not quite manifest on the day, but there are a number of reasons for that.

“We did play some good rugby, but we didn’t turn that pressure into points, which is huge in big games.

“It’s something to work on, because the form you show before means very little unless you bring it into that game.

“Hopefully I can contribute to that learning.”

Waldouck signed a new contract with Premiership side Newcastle Falcons last year, allowing him to study a Masters degree in sustainable urban development at Kellogg College and play for Oxford during the Michaelmas term (September to Christmas).

It means the former Northampton Saints and London Irish star will feature sparingly during the spring for the Dark Blues, but he is happy to watch from afar.

He said: “My role this term will be a support role.

“I will be down at training, it’s a big development term, and identifying really good young talent and supporting them through the off-season.”

Injury restricted Waldouck’s playing time last year and he was only named among the replacements for December’s defeat to the Light Blues.

The experienced centre, who started in Newcastle’s defeat to Bath in the Anglo-Welsh Cup last month, is hoping to make up for lost time in 2018.

He said: “One of my earliest memories is going to the Varsity Match with my dad.

“I’ve always known the significance of the occasion and having been part of the team last year it was always going to be an honour to lead the team.”

Waldouck was introduced at half-time in the Varsity Match, with his extravagant moustache catching the eye.

But he may not be as recognisable this year.

“I chopped it off a couple of weeks ago,” he said. “But there’s a good chance it might return.”