RFU Podcast: Lancaster and Dallaglio on the new England Elite Player Squads for 2013

Posted on Jan 10, 2013 in RFU Podcast

STUART LANCASTER tells all about the changes to the England Elite Player Squad in the first RFU Podcast of 2013.

And we get Lawrence Dallaglio’s verdict on the young stars pushing for places in the new England Saxons EPS.

We met Head Coach Lancaster at West Park RFC near Leeds, where he unveiled a 33-man senior group which includes for the first time the likes of Tom Youngs, Joe Launchbury, Billy Twelvetrees and Freddie Burns.

"The lads who’ve come in deserve it on merit but the next step is to fight for a place in the team," Lancaster told us. "Against New Zealand we raised expectations, raised the bar, and we want to keep it high."

Former England captain Dallaglio knows the young Wasps contingent well – particularly Billy Vunipola, who has forced his way into the 32-man Saxons EPS at the age of 19.

The No.8 wears Dallaglio’s old club shirt and will train with England’s senior side in Leeds when they meet in Yorkshire on January 21.

"He’s done exceptionally well," Dallaglio said. "All the young players at Wasps like Joe Launchbury, Elliot Daly, Christian Wade and Billy Vunipola had to stand up and be counted last season and they’re reaping the benefits this season."

For the full interviews, check out today’s RFU Podcast.

Billy Twelvetrees called up to England senior elite squad–full squad details and Saxons squad details

Posted on Jan 10, 2013 in England, England Saxons, English Rugby

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster today announced the revised January 2013 Senior and England Saxons Elite Player Squads.

There are seven changes from the July 2012 Senior squad, with call-ups for Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby), Calum Clark (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (London Wasps), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), David Strettle (Saracens), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby) and Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

The requirement for an eight-man replacements’ bench during the RBS 6 Nations means that the Senior squad has been extended to 33 and Mako Vunipola (Saracens) moves from the Saxons as the additional player.

There are seven changes to the Saxons squad with Elliott Daly (London Wasps), Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby), Will Fraser (Saracens), Shaun Knight (Gloucester Rugby), Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers), Joel Tomkins (Saracens) and Billy Vunipola (London Wasps) all making their first appearances this season. Billy Vunipola will train with the senior squad in Leeds (January 20-25) while Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers) continues his return-to-play programme. 

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “The fact that we have spent significant time deliberating over quite a few players shows how tough the competition is to get into this 65 and the strength in depth that is emerging. We have made some changes to both squads and we feel that reflects the players’ form during the first half of the season. There will undoubtedly be movement between the two squads as we go through the RBS 6 Nations and that was evident in the QBE Internationals, with players in form pushing through such as Freddie Burns, Joe Launchbury, Tom Youngs and Mako Vunipola.

"This is a very important year for England, with the Six Nations and the Saxons games to look forward to so there are some great opportunities for the players to demonstrate their club form at international level. The summer tour to Argentina will also be a great chance for those players pushing for a place, especially with some of our Senior squad hopefully going with the Lions, and chances will undoubtedly arise as we hope to play two midweek games as well as the two Tests.”

The Senior squad will attend a training camp at West Park Leeds RFC between Sunday, January 20 and Friday, January 25 before meeting up at Pennyhill Park, Bagshot on Sunday, January 27 to prepare for England’s RBS 6 Nations opener against Scotland at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, February 2 (4pm).

The Saxons will meet up on Monday, January 21 at Surrey Sports Park ahead of their match against the 02 Ireland Wolfhounds in Galway on Friday, January 25 (7.35pm).

The England Under-20s Elite Player Squad will be announced via email at 1200 on Thursday, January 10.

The full squads are on the next page…

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RUGBY NEWS: Gloucester Rugby name side for visit of Northampton

Posted on Aug 31, 2012 in Gloucester

Director of Rugby Nigel Davies has named his first Gloucester Rugby line up of the Aviva Premiership season with Northampton Saints the visitors to Kingsholm on Saturday (kick off 3pm).

Following a preseason campaign which saw Gloucester secure two victories from three outings, it’s down to the serious matter of Aviva Premiership Rugby and the visit of the Saints.

Davies is deprived of the services of his skipper Jim Hamilton who rolled an ankle in training this week so fellow lock Alex Brown captains the side.

He leads a side that sees first Premiership starts for Gloucester the likes of Billy Twelvetrees, Dan Robson and Ben Morgan. Summer signings Huia Edmonds, Sione Kalamafoni and Martyn Thomas are named amongst the replacements.

Davies knows that Northampton will be a tough first opponent but that he’s happy with how his side are progressing.

“We’re as ready as we can be. We’ve had a good three months at it after lots of change over the summer – systems, structure, personnel.

“The preseason games were very important as we targeted certain things to achieve in them. We’ve learned a lot of lessons from them and gradually got better.

“They’re a very good side. I went to watch them in Edinburgh last week and they played very well. We’re a side who have been together for three months, they’re a side that’s been together for three years.

“They’ve had a lot of stability and have evolved their game. They’ll provide the sternest of challenges but that’s good. We know they’re coming and we’ve prepared for that.”  

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