Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club’s Jamie Benson eyeing up another Varsity Match victory over Oxford University

Following his heroics of 12 months ago, Jamie Benson could be forgiven for not feeling as enthused about the upcoming Varsity Match on Saturday (2 March).

After all, the fly-half scored all of the men’s team’s points in Cambridge University’s 15-10 victory over Oxford at Twickenham, handing his side a first win in the prestigious fixture since 2019 in the process. And yet the desire to rack up another victory burns as brightly as ever.

The 21-year-old, who is playing his club rugby in the RFU Championship with Cambridge on loan from Harlequins this season, said: “It was without doubt a special day.

“You work so hard towards something and then when you achieve it, it’s a really special feeling.

“To play a key role is a massive thing but really it was the feeling afterwards – being with everyone and celebrating what we’d done – that was the most memorable thing.

“It ranks highly for me, probably my number one achievement in the game, but this is now another year.

“Each year brings new challenges, it’s a new squad and we’re as determined as ever to get a good result. It feels like there is a real buy-in from all of the boys and there is no doubt there is a huge amount of hunger in the group.”

Having shone at the home of English rugby, this year Benson and his team-mates will be running out on the artificial surface at Saracens’ StoneX Stadium in north London.

Benson added: “Maybe it’s a little disappointing the game isn’t at Twickenham, but the 3G will make it a fast-paced game and that suits us.

“Hopefully the ball will be in play more and it will allow us to play a more expansive game.”