Tarquin Carlsson feels that his Bishops side has nothing to lose when they take on traditional rivals Rondebosch on Saturday.

"We're in a better position this time around. We expected the game to come to us last time round. This time, we're going in as the underdogs and we're hungry to get the win. We really have nothing to lose," the matric student said.

Bishops lost their last encounter with Rondebosch 34-18 and are coming off a defeat to SACS, but the side's skipper is not dwelling on the past.

"It is a big occasion. It's a Bishops-Bosch game. But we're treating it like any other," the No.8 told classicclashes.co.za. "You can feel the anticipation at school as we get closer to the game."

Carlsson admits that when the two sides met earlier this year, that the occasion was bigger than he was prepared for.

"I've learnt from last time. I'm more relaxed now," Carlsson said. "I know that we are good enough to get a win at Rondebosch."

The six-foot tall matric student admires All Black captain Richie McCaw, saying that "he's not only a great captain but he's also a fantastic player."

He does, though, draw his inspiration from Springbok flank Juan Smith.

"I've based my game on that of Juan Smith. His ball carrying is exceptional and I'd like to emulate that," Carlsson said.

A keen student of the game, the Bishops skipper enjoys watching the Australian star Quade Cooper in action saying that he's "electric to watch."

As for his future, Carlsson is keen to continue playing rugby, particularly after having been in action for Western Province at the 2011 Craven Week. He has been accepted into the Western Province Rugby Institute and has his eyes set on playing for the Western Province senior team.

Age: 18
Position: eighthman
Height: 187cm
Weight: 103kg