Tosa takes chance with a lighter blue
MAKOTO Tosa will join an exclusive club on Saturday when he wins his second Blue in the Varsity Match – and make a piece of rugby history into the bargain.
The former Japan U20 back row forward has been picked to play for Cambridge against Oxford in the 142nd annual ‘Battle of the Blues’ at what will be a new venue at the StoneX Stadium, home of Saracens.
The 37-year-old made his debut in the fixture as an Oxford replacement back in 2009. It means he will become only the sixth player to play for both teams in the Varsity Match and the 15-year gap between his appearances will be a record for a game that kicked-off way back in 1872.
There were 11 years between the first and fifth of Richard Bartholomew’s Cambridge Blues (2005-16), while Jenny Greenwood first played for the Light Blues in 1910 and finally in 1919.
“I’m thrilled to be back in the British academic world after my professional athletic career with Japan Rugby Football Union, NEC Corporation Green Rockets, and Mitsubishi Dynaboars for the past 14 years,” said Tosa, who is studying for an Executive MBA at the Judge Business School.
“As a former Greyhound and an Oxford dark blue, a huge thank you to the understanding of Oxford University RFC for letting me be active with Cambridge for the following two seasons.”
Former Bristol Bears hooker Ben Gompels will be leading Cambridge into the game for the second time and is feeling confident of posting another victory after warming up with a brace of victories this month against the Navy (15–7) and the touring Americans from Trinity Western University.
Last year’s match winner, Jamie Benson, is back on board after playing much of his rugby in the Championship with Cambridge on loan from his parent club Harlequins. The England U20 outside-half scored all his side’s points in the 15-10 victory in the final outing at Twickenham.
“Jamie has developed his game really well this season and is going to be very important to us again. He‘s very much on board and is in charge of a very good back division,” said Gompels.
Former Scotland U20, Sevens and GB Sevens star Jamie Farndale has added pace and menace at full back, while Nottingham centre Matt Riddington has brought Championship experience to the midfield. Up front, the former London Scottish lock Bryon Hodge is a big new presence in the second row.
Oxford had hoped to make it a hat-trick of wins last year but came up short. Jack Butler has led them to five wins in nine games this season and will have fit-again Australian international prop Tom Robertson packing down in the front row.
He missed out on the World Cup after tearing his Achilles but has eased his way back into rugby while studying for an MPhil in Public Health. The 28-yearold already holds Bachelor of Medical Science, a Master of Public Health and Master of Philosophy and Medicine degrees and has an Australian rugby contract to return to when he heads back down under.
The women’s Varsity Match will kick-off proceedings at the StoneX. The two sides have already met twice this season in the BUCS Leagues, with Cambridge winning by two points at home and drawing at Iffley Road.