Worcester call up Andy Short

Posted on Oct 15, 2010 in Rugby News

England Under-20 centre Andy Short will make his full league debut for Worcester Warriors after being named in the team for the top-of-the-table RFU Championship clash with Bedford Blues at Goldington Road on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Academy product Short, who was previously part of the AASE scheme at Sixways, impressed after coming off the bench against Bristol and is named alongside Dale Rasmussen after Alex Crockett failed to shake off an ankle problem.

Head Coach Richard Hill makes just two changes to his starting line-up from the team that secured a bonus point victory over Bristol last Friday.

Flanker James Collins replaces the injured Jake Abbott to make his third start of the campaign while utility back Willie Walker returns to the replacements bench.

“Andy Short has really impressed me with his performances in the A League and is another exciting and talented product of our Academy set-up. We’re delighted that we have an Academy that is producing players of this quality,” said Hill.

“Playing alongside Dale Rasmussen, I know he will form part of a formidable and strong midfield that we look forward to seeing in action again after they combined so well against Bristol.

“James Collins is a straight swap for Jake and I know he will be keen to make an impact,” added Hill.

“JC was very impressive in the early part of the season and is a similar age and player to Jake. Whilst losing Jake is devastating it does provide an opportunity for JC to push for a continued starting place in the weeks ahead.”

Pat Sanderson, Greg King, Rob Higgitt, Chris Pennell and Matt Mullan join Crockett and Abbott in being unavailable for selection through injury this weekend.

Warriors vs. Bedford Blues

15 Tom Arscott
14 Marcel Garvey
13 Andy Short
12 Dale Rasmussen
11 Miles Benjamin
10 Andy Goode
9 Jonny Arr

1 Callum Black
2 Aleki Lutui
3 Tevita Taumoepeau
4 Graham Kitchener
5 Craig Gillies
6 Neil Best
7 James Collins
8 Kai Horstmann (c)

Replacements
16 Ed Shervington
17 Bruce Douglas
18 Greg Rawlinson
19 Adam Balding
20 Andy Williams
21 Joe Carlisle
22 Willie Walker

England Under-19 Regional Academies beat Australia Schools

Posted on Dec 10, 2009 in Rugby News

England’s Under 19 Regional Academy opened a four-match touring programme by the Australian Schools by scoring four tries to two to claim a 27-12 victory at Lymm RFC this afternoon.

Coach John Fletcher was always confident that his side had the talent to test the visitors and they fulfilled all his expectations in holding the whip-hand from the moment full-back Jonathan Joseph (London Irish) crossed for the opening try and fly-half Jake Sharp (Saracens) converted.

Sharp claimed the second after 19 minutes and converted his own score for a 14-0 lead and while Australian centre Matthew Garland cut the deficit with a 29th minute try to raise the visitors’ morale and make the interval scoreline 14-5.

However, a third try from wingman Earl Collins (Worcester Warriors) on 40 minutes opened up the lead once again, although once again the tourists refused to concede the struggle and rallied with a try by flanker Jack de Guingand that scrum-half and captain Matthew Lucas converted to bring his side within a score at 19-12.

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