Malta international Adam Magro will be in the Oxford University squad on Tuesday to face fierce rivals Cambridge University in the high-profile annual Varsity match.

Oxford captain John Allen included 32-year-old centre Magro in the starting formation this week for a fixture set to attract 75,000 spectators to Twickenham.

Oxford and Cambridge universities are renowned for their sporting rivalries. The rugby duel is another highly-awaited appointment in the UK calendar and seen by many as the biggest rugby attraction, second only to the Six Nations.

Tuesday's match was given added prestige when organisers announced that prior to kick-off some World Cup-winning England players will parade the William Webb Ellis Trophy at England's 'home of rugby'.

Magro, born in Sydney but of Maltese descent, made his debut for the national team last May when he featured in the Sevens squad in the European Championship tournaments in Lisbon and Madrid.

In Australia, he played for ACT Brumbies and was fielded alongside a number of Wallaby internationals in last month's World Cup. He also plied his trade in Japan, with Toyoda Shokki, and Ireland's Leinster.

Magro's call-up for the Varsity match was a boost for national coach Graham Richards.

Yesterday, he told The Times that Magro's appearance for Oxford could well mean that more established players in the UK, of Maltese origins, will be attracted to play for the national team in future.

"For us having Adam in this match is an ideal way of promoting our game internationally," Richards said.

"I was delighted when I learned he was to play in the Varsity match... he is such a talented centre and plays rugby at the highest level.

"I congratulated Adam for his achievement on Monday. He has again pledged to play for Malta in next year's Euro qualifiers. It's great news for our squad. Having such top-quality players will only help us to improve our game."