RUGBY UNION: Carter aiming for a Twickenham treble (From Witney Gazette)

RUGBY UNION: Carter aiming for a Twickenham treble

9:00am Wednesday 16th January 2013 in Rugby By Ed Mezzetti, Sports reporter specialising in Rugby, Cricket and Athletics. Call me on 01865 425456

John Carter has made history by being elected Oxford University rugby captain for a third time.

The back-row forward is the first player since the inaugural Varsity Match in 1871 to secure a captaincy hat-trick.

Carter, 31, already entered the record books last year after becoming the first Oxford skipper to win successive Varsity Matches since 1882.

And now the psychoanalysis student will target a remarkable treble when the Dark Blues take on Cambridge in December.

“In terms of being involved with the people and the club, there is no experience like it,” said Carter, who played professionally for Sale, Northampton and Leicester.

“I thought it would be great to be involved again.

“Emotionally, I was very enthusiastic to go for another year. Rationally, I was aware that I was able to do it.

“I spoke to a lot of the players and got their feelings. I felt encouraged to stand for it again and they voted me back in, so I had their support.”

Carter was Oxford’s first captain since 1968 to lead them in two successive Varsity Matches when they beat Cambridge 26-19 last year.

And he had to consider it very carefully before running for a third year at the helm.

“I thought about it in depth over Christmas and the new year,” he said.

“I have really enjoyed the experience of being captain and I am looking forward to being involved in another experience.

“I can manage it so it fits in with my degree and commit the amount of time that the role consumes.”

Carter is now one of the biggest figures in the Dark Blues’ history, but he said that was not his motivation.

“In terms of making a decision, that certainly wasn’t something that came into it.

“The main emphasis was that I really wanted to do it again. The history is a massive bonus that comes along as part of it, but it is something I will reflect on in years to come.”

Carter is not planning any big changes for his third year in office.

But he said: “We are always looking at ways to improve. That is part of the character of the club now.”