OXFORD University were taught a harsh lesson by a young, but extremely talented Northampton Saints outfit as they lost 74-10 at Iffley Road last night.

With the Dark Blues electing to rest some senior players and give opportunities to others, this was always going to be a tough ask.

And the visitors, who stepped in at the last minute to replace Nottingham who had to withdraw because of injuries, made their intentions very clear from the outset.

The score at the interval reflected the gulf in class as Saints scored nine tries, with fly-half Will Hooley (England U20s) converting five to make the score 55-0.

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Full back Tom Collins and wingers Howard Packman and wing Josh Skelcey each scored twice, with scrum half Joel Hodgson, hooker Matti Williams and flanker Lewis Ludlam also crossing.

The second half saw the Dark Blues make changes, with prop Lewis Anderson and fly half George Cullen entering the fray.

They helped shore up the defence and bring some structure to the attack.

Indeed it was Oxford who scored first after the restart when Cullen kicked to the corner from a penalty and a wellconstructed catch and drive line-out resulted in flanker Gus Jones being driven over.

Cullen unluckily hit the post with the conversion.

Saints hit back almost straight away though when Packman scored his third try, centre Harry Mallinder converting.

But the Dark Blues went on to enjoy their best period of the match.

A wonderful chip to the corner from Cullen saw Jones rise high above the opposition to pluck the ball out of the air and crash over for his second try.

Northampton had the last word though, replacement wing Will Lovell scoring a converted try in the corner to seal an emphatic victory.

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