By the time Oxford flanker Gus Jones crossed the Twickenham whitewash in December last year, completing a record 43-6 win for the Dark Blues in the process, confidence had long evaporated from Harry Peck’s Cambridge side. Yet almost a year on, just a month before the home of English Rugby hosts the men’s Varsity Match and, for the first time, the women’s counterpart, there is cause for significant optimism for both Light Blues captains. For the men, 10th December will be all about redemption and the prevention of a record sixth consecutive defeat. For the women, this is a chance to repeat last year’s success and mark their first visit to Twickenham, for this event, with a victory against the old enemy.

If there is one word which recurs in the conversation with Don Stevens, the twenty-eight year old Light Blues captain, it is “family”, referring to this year’s close-knit squad, all working together not only to beat Oxford when the big day arrives in December, but, crucially, to help each other progress. Stevens, who hails from the South African town of Bethlehem, cannot state enough how a newfound familial atmosphere has transformed the confidence of his squad: “When we go out on the pitch,” he says, “there is no-one else I’d rather be there with…you are automatically in your comfort zone.” Much of the relaxed atmosphere is down to the high-class coaching set-up, intense in its approach, yet also accommodating of the players’ busy schedules, something corroborated by Nikki Weckman, the women’s skipper. Many of the players in the women’s squad arrived at Cambridge without substantial rugby experience, yet the set-up here allows them not only to learn quickly, but also to integrate seamlessly into the Blues’ squad.

“It creates an atmosphere of striving to be better all the time,” claims Weckman, a PhD Engineering student at Trinity, who also points to the attendance of over 70 women at the pre-season trials as evidence of both a growing enthusiasm for the women’s game and the positive competition for places within the squad.

Indeed, there is a genuine sense that both captains see this year’s set-ups as crucial in approaching the game focussed and high in morale. Stevens believes his men’s squad have undergone a “massive psychological change,” and are playing for each other much more than last year as a result of a new philosophy implemented before the start of the campaign. “We decided as a team who we want to be on and off the field,” says Stevens, who returns to scrum-half this season from the number ten jersey to forge a half-back partnership with Fraser Gillies, thus establishing a code of conduct to which the whole team can adhere. For Weckman, the high-class coaching, coupled with the opportunity to play BUCS Premier South rugby each week, after last year’s straightforward promotion, can only make her side better prepared for the contest at rugby’s HQ. “Last year we had a fantastic season,” she reflects. “This year has been a big move for us and the score lines [0-83 against Cardiff Met and 5-20 against Exeter] don’t necessarily reflect what we’re doing as a team.”

If there is an underlying theme to what both captains say, it is one of progress as a team. Neither Stevens nor Weckman are keen to single out individuals, with the former even describing Man of the Match awards as “ridiculous” because “when one guy has success, it reflects the efforts of the whole squad.” There is a genuine, refreshing humbleness to Stevens when he says December is about much more than righting personal wrongs from last time out, when his game ended on a stretcher with an injury.

For him, it is about ending Oxford’s record-equalling run of five consecutive Varsity victories as a family unit, with himself happening to be at the helm. Weckman too is highly reluctant to single anyone out, preferring to focus on the exciting mix of experienced heads and new faces she has at her disposal. The Canadian, who ended a six-year break from the game upon her arrival at Cambridge, sees fresh players each year as “one of the things I love most about women’s rugby,” such is its potential to transform the squad.

This year’s Varsity Match also takes on an added significance, with the women’s match taking place on the Twickenham pitch for the first time, almost thirty years since the inaugural clash between Cambridge and Oxford. It is a move which follows that of the Boat Race, bringing women’s university sport to the biggest stage, in front of bigger crowds. Weckman, speaking in rugby terms at least, believes that this can only be beneficial: “It is a really good move and important for women’s sport in general,” putting the female game on the radar and, more importantly, showcasing the highest level of the women’s game for potential young players watching in the stands or at home. The women’s game is even more exciting than the men’s, Weckman suggests. For Stevens, the move represents an overdue opportunity:

“These are really exciting times for them [the Women’s Blues] and it is a fantastic opportunity which should re-energise the Varsity Match.” Both skippers are hoping the women will make it two victories over the Dark Blues on the trot, in a game played just before the men’s fixture.

Turning to the men’s game, there has, of course, been additional hype created by the availability of Wales International and British and Irish Lion Jamie Roberts, who has come to Cambridge for a part-time MPhil at Queens’ College. While major media organisations will focus on the impact of the Wales centre, Stevens is keen to emphasise instead the value that his presence will bring to the team atmosphere: “He’s one of the best centres in the world, but he’s also a humble, down to earth individual, who can have a very psychological contribution to the squad both on and off the pitch.” While the centre, capped 74 times by Wales, including in this month’s defeat to his new captain’s native South Africa at the Rugby World Cup, will bring quality to the pitch, he can also inspire his new teammates to be their best.

The message from both captains, a month before the latest Varsity encounter, is that confidence is high, team spirit and togetherness is strong. Most importantly, come 10th December, their squads will be raring to go, with the ultimate aim of bringing home the trophy for the Light Blues, in this most significant of years.