Championship One preview: Oxford v London Skolars

Oxford coach Tony Benson believes his new-look squad is ready to burst into action when they host London Skolars in Sunday’s opening Kingstone Press Championship One fixture.

Benson said: “We’re really looking forward to getting out there.

“We’re quite a different squad from last year. The strategy was always that we’d get eight or nine northern players last year to help with the development of the less experienced players, and then to cut that back this year – and that’s what we’ve done.”

He added: “London will be one of the big challengers this year. We’re up against it in game one, but that’s inspired us in pre-season. We’ve had a clear goal to get ready for this game and we’re as ready as we can be.”

Benson has a fully fit squad to select from, while London Skolars coach Joe Mbu could include recent signing Patelisio Palo.

The Skolars will be looking to improve on last year’s efforts that saw them finish fourth.