England U18 name side to face France

Posted on Feb 18, 2010 in Rugby News

England Under 18 return to action on Sunday against the only side to have dented their impressive 14-match winning run. England, coached by John Fletcher and Peter Walton, haven’t been beaten in an international at this level since an 11-3 defeat against Australia in Brisbane in 2007.

But France – visitors to Newbury this weekend – edged past them in a training game last season and will threaten all over the field, according to former Newcastle Falcons boss Fletcher.

Fly half George Ford (Rishworth & Leicester Tigers) leads the side at Monks Lane and Fletcher makes seven changes to the team that beat Australian Schools 30-28 at Sale in December.

Injured Dulwich College and Harlequins lock Sam Twomey (knee) and Harrow and London Wasps flanker Billy Vunipola are replaced by George Merrick (Whitgift & Harlequins) and Will Skuse (Bryanston & Bath Rugby) respectively, while props Luke Cowan-Dickie (Truro Coll & Exeter Chiefs) and Anthony Brennan (Twyford CofE & London Wasps) make their first starts.

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Leinster team to face Plymouth in B&I Cup

Posted on Nov 19, 2009 in Rugby News

The Leinster team to face Plymouth Albion in the opening round of the British & Irish Cup on Saturday in Brickfields Recreation Grounds, Plymouth (KO: 4.30pm) has been named.

Paul O’Donohoe captains an exciting looking team for the trip to Plymouth and he partners Ian McKinley in a backline which includes youth – in the shape of David Kearney, Michael Keating Brendan Macken and Niall Morris – and experience in Shaun Berne who starts at inside centre.

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