Former California captain Jason Law has been selected by Oxford University as a starter at lock for Thursday's Varsity Match against Cambridge at Twickenham national stadium. The contest kicks off at 2 p.m. local time and 6 a.m. PT.
It will be Law's second Varsity Blue and Cal's 10th all-time, coming one year after he and fellow former captain Derek Asbun played the eighth and ninth Varsity Match by Golden Bear alumni in this hallowed rivalry. Thursday's Varsity Match will be the 131st in its history.
"The Varsity Match is a unique situation in where you prepare all term for one goal - beating Cambridge," said Law. "I can attribute much of my success this year to the Cal rugby ethos of constant performance improvement."
"Jason embodies what a former captain of our team represents," said Cal head coach Jack Clark. "As proud as we are of him in his rugby pursuits, we know he will go on to an even higher level of achievement professionally after his studies are completed."
Law, in the No. 4 jersey Thursday, is part of a group of former Bears to don the Varsity Blue that includes fellow 2011 alumnus Asbun, a current U.S. international, and former internationals Gary Hein, Don James Jr. and Ray Lehner. Other Cal alumni who have played for Oxford outside of the Varsity Match are Rick Santos, Matt Sherman and Ross Biestman.
The rugby program at Oxford, where Law is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Sustainable Urban Development, was founded in 1869, 13 years before Cal began its team. The first Varsity Match against Cambridge was held in 1872 and has grown to become a virtual national holiday in England. Cambridge leads the all-time series 61-55-14.
The 131st year of Cal rugby continues in January.
Source : rugbyrugby[dot]com