Former Australia lock Dan Vickerman will captain Cambridge University in the 2009 Varsity Match against Oxford University.

Vickerman, who won 55 caps for the Wallabies and was a World Cup finalist in 2003, is due to join English Premiership side Northampton on a one-year contract after this year's Varsity clash, which takes place at Twickenham on December 10.

The 30-year-old Vickerman's Cambridge colleagues unveiled at Thursday's team announcement included former Leicester fly-half Ross Broadfoot and ex-Ulster prop Niall Conlon.

Oxford hooker Dan Rosen, who has three Varsity appearances behind him and is in his eighth year at the University, captains the 'Dark Blues'.

Oxford won last year's fixture 33-29 with wing Tim Catling, who is set to feature again a week on Thursday, becoming the first player on either side to score a hat-trick in the fixture in 74 years.

Cambridge lead the series 60-53 with 14 draws.

"It's been a good, new season for us," said Vickerman. "We've embarked on a journey and we've had some good games in preparation.

"All in all we've come together well. We're enjoying it and we're moving in the right direction."

Historically the Varsity Match, which features teams from England's two oldest universities, has been a chance for fans to see future internationals.

But the advent of professional rugby union has seen the likes of Vickerman and former All Black Anton Oliver, who represented Oxford last year, appearing in the Varsity Match after the end of their Test careers rather than before they've played international rugby.

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