The rugby first division fixtures have been decided with new boys Magdalene and Queens’ facing each other in a critical first game. With the near invincibility of St John’s and Jesus to come in Rounds 5 and 6, it will be critical for the two weakest teams in the division to win these early season games in their desperate struggle to avoid relegation. St John’s, meanwhile, begin their defence of their title away at home against Downing and are confident of a strong start to the season. Redboy Paul Grethe has told Varsity that confidence in the St John’s camp is high and that their already impressive squad has only been improved by a talented new fresher intake. St John’s are understandably bullish about their chances of defeating Downing in their first game, believing themselves to have the stronger squad. However, their squad will be severely depleted by nine of their Blues being unavailable because of university commitments and so Downing will have an excellent chance of causing an upset in first game of the new academic year, Trinity take on Jesus in the other game of the opening week of the season, but it will take a lot to defeat last year’s Cuppers’ runners up

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