GEORGE Robson is urging Oxford University to keep the hammer down as they ramp up their preparations for next month’s Varsity Match.

The Dark Blues are in Ireland on Saturday to face Trinity College Dublin – one of three remaining fixtures ahead of their showdown with Cambridge University at Twickenham on December 6.

After four successive home victories, Oxford were tested for the first time in last week’s 26-20 defeat against Canada.

Lock Robson, who made nearly 200 appearances for Harlequins and is now studying for an EMBA at the Saïd Business School, is relishing Saturday’s clash.

The 32-year-old said: “I don’t think we’re going to see whether we’ve improved until we play again, because Canada was a learning experience for us.

“As a group, we know we’ve got to keep getting better every week – that’s the goal.

“We’re just focusing on ourselves and what we can control, we’ve got some really good players and some hungry boys as well.

“We know the only result we’re going to be judged on is the Varsity and we’re building towards that.

“We’re disappointed with last week’s result. We felt Canada obviously deserved the win, but we’ve got a lot to work on.”

Winger Ed David, who has played in all seven matches this season, is rested, while captain Dom Waldouck names himself on the bench to allow first-year Louis Jackson an opportunity at inside centre.

Oxford University: Ransom, Stileman, Kearns, Jackson, Barley, Humberstone, Tresidder, Parker, Henry, Morris, Robson, Dix, Pozniak, Miller, Kerneis. Reps: Navarajasegaran, Hennessy, King, Warr, Adams, Ridgway, McGagh, Haddock, Waldouck.