Ashton left his role as England boss after finishing second in the Six Nations

Oxford University have acquired the services of former England head coach Brian Ashton to help prepare the Dark Blues for this year's Varsity game.

Veteran Ashton has agreed to work on a consultancy basis.

Director of rugby Steve Hill told BBC Oxford: "The Varsity match is a massive occasion for us.

"Brian has enormous experience in preparing sides to play on the biggest of stages. I've known Brian for 20 years now as a coach."

He added: "I spoke to him to see if he wanted to come and help us. He did a couple of sessions in Oxford last week and during the term leading up to the Varsity match he will also be doing some sessions."

The 2008 Varsity match takes place at Twickenham on Thursday, 11 December at 1400 GMT.