England Counties name squad for East Africa tour

Posted on May 16, 2012 in English Counties

The England Counties today named their 26-man squad for next month’s three match tour to Uganda and Kenya.

Eleven counties and 15 clubs are represented within the squad which contains 12 debutants. 

Rob Baldwin (pictured) will captain the tour party, having led the side to a 34-16 victory over the Counties’ Irish counterparts, the Ulster Bank International Team, in March.  Nine other players featured in the spring international, whilst Jim Wigglesworth steps up after impressing for the England Counties U20s earlier this month.

The England Counties squad is the representative flagship of the county and community game and since being founded in 2002 has visited North and South America, Europe and the Far East.  Nine players have previous touring experience but the side will be treading new ground when they head to the African continent.

The squad assembles on the 1st June and the 17-day tour incorporates the largest tour outreach programme ever undertaken.  Working with the Tag Rugby Trust, the squad and management will carry out frequent coaching sessions and visits, aiming to raise the profile of rugby and leave a lasting legacy for the host unions.

The squad plays both Uganda and a combined East Africa side in Kampala before taking on the challenge of an East Africa Invitation XV in Nairobi.

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Turner, capped 51 times for England, set to make her first start at hooker

Posted on Nov 2, 2011 in England, English Rugby, Women's Rugby

Amy Turner, (pictured) capped 51 times for England, is set to embark on a new era in her international rugby career tomorrow (Wednesday).

The former England and Richmond scrum half is set to make her move into the English pack after being named at hooker for England’s uncapped game against France on Wednesday, kick off 6pm GMT, at the Jean Bouin Stadium in Marseille.

Switching from scrum-half to hooker in international rugby is an unusual move but for Turner the move isn’t that unique as she first started her rugby career in the Number two shirt.

Turner said: “I have always seen myself as a hooker falling into the scrum half position to be perfectly honest. I was not a scrum half who just wanted to try something new.

“Not many people will know this but I actually played all my junior rugby as a hooker. It just so happened then that our scrum half injured herself and I was the only player there who could consistently pass from the left and right so I stood in. From there I was asked to go to regional trials and it just sort of snow balled. I loved playing scrum half as I could kick the ball, pass and I could do whatever I wanted really, it was just that it was all rather accidental.

“I have always said to myself that when I achieved what I have done as a nine that I would give hooking another go. It’s comfortable and it feels right for me now. Looking ahead I have now got four years to go before the next world cup and my challenge is to be the best hooker in the world by then.”

The match will also mark a significant day for Turner who has not actually played international rugby since England’s defeat to New Zealand in the 2010 Rugby World Cup final. Since that defeat, the 27-year-old has been beset by injuries as well as having to make the transition to the front row and earn her honours in that position.

“After the world cup final I went back to premiership rugby and I expressed my intention to the England and Richmond coaches,” she added. “They were good about it but before I had a chance to make the move I injured myself playing sevens in Dubai. Initially, it was just going to be six weeks out and an operation and I knew I could deal with that. But then there were further complications as I injured myself again, and then again.  So I had to have another operation and basically I spent a year on the side-lines injured which was hugely frustrating.

“Throughout the year I was kept in the picture by the English coaches. The coaches were concerned that I might not be able to last a full 80 at hooker but I have been doing a lot of work on body positions, striking off the ball and working with Simon Hardy, the England Specialist Coach, and he has been awesome. We had a hooking camp recently with him and just being in an environment like that for two days was massively beneficial and now I am in with a shot.”

And if Turner can do enough to impress on Wednesday night, she is hoping that Head Coach Gary Street will make her dreams come true by giving her a starting cap at hooker against France on Saturday in the full international test match at the Pierre de Coubertin Stadium in Chateaurenard.

“For me, I never got a starting cap at nine. I came off the bench for my first cap but it really would mean the world to me to start my first game at hooker but that is something quite rare. I may have 50 plus caps at scrum half, but now I see myself as not having any. If I get that starting cap at hooker I will be over the moon. That is the highest privilege as far as I am concerned. I am now more excited and more motivated than ever. I have got my teeth into a new position and I have a new hunger to my game.”

England team v France

15        Kay     Wilson            (Bristol)

14        Michaela        Staniford        (Wasps)

13        Georgina       Roberts          (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

12        Kimberley      Oliver  (Bristol)

11        Lydia  Thompson     (Worcester)

10        Ceri     Large  (Worcester)

9          Natasha         Hunt   (Lichfield)

1          Rochelle        Clark   (Worcester)

2          Amy    Turner            (Richmond)

3          Rosemarie     Crowley         (Lichfield)

4          Harriet            Millar-Mills     (Lichfield)

5          Rowena         Burnfield       (Richmond)

6          Alexandra      Matthews       (Richmond)

7          Hannah         Gallagher      (Saracens)

8          Sarah Hunter            (Lichfield)

Replacements:

16        Victoria           Fleetwood     (Lichfield)

17        Laura  Keates            (Worcester)

18        Tamara           Taylor(Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

19        Isobel Noel-Smith    (Bristol)

20        Rose   Jay      (Lichfield)

21        Sarah             McKenna       (Wasps)

22        Katherine      Merchant       (Worcester)

England Women Autumn International Series

• Nov 2nd France v England, Jean Bouin Stadium, Marseille, KO 6pm GMT
• Nov 5th France v England, Pierre de Coubertin Stadium at Chateaurenard, KO 2pm GMT
• Nov 26th England v New Zealand, Twickenham Stadium, KO 5pm
• Nov 29th England v New Zealand, Esher RFC, KO 7pm
• Dec 3rd England v New Zealand, Esher RFC, 2pm

Tickets for the game at Twickenham on November 26th are available from Ticketmaster.co.uk and group booking are available from the RFU by calling 0871 22 22 017, option 6. Prices range from £65 to £35. Junior tickets cost just £15.

Tickets for the international tests at Esher RFC on November 29th and December 3rd will be available on the gate and cost £10 for adults and £5 for juniors.

Falcons snap up Mayhew junior

Posted on Sep 7, 2011 in Newcastle Falcons, Premiership

Newcastle Falcons have bolstered their front row options, with the capture of Michael Mayhew, from New Zealand outfit North Harbour.

The 24-year-old Kiwi, who is the younger brother of Saturday’s man-of-the-match Richard Mayhew, plays at hooker but is also averse to the back row.

Speaking only moments after touching down at Newcastle Airport, Mayhew told Falcons TV: “It’s great to finally arrive and it has been a very long flight. I’m very much looking forward to getting amongst it.”

Teaming up with older brother Richard, the 6ft 1” No.2 said: “It’s good to see him again and he looks like he’s out of the Lion King with that haircut!

“I can’t wait to get stuck in and try my best. I’ve been really impressed with the whole set-up and it’s very professional and welcoming.”

Mayhew’s arrival on Tyneside gives the northeasterners an added boost ahead of Saturday’s trip to Exeter, with South African centre Corne Uys also expected to complete the relevant paperwork within the next two to three weeks, prior to his move to Kingston Park.

Head coach Alan Tait said: “I’ve looked at the videos of him playing for North Harbour and he is a quality player.

“We need cover at hooker and the signing of Michael means we will not be exposed in that area. His brother had a great game on Saturday, against Bath and he will want to prove himself in a Falcons jersey.”

Gloucester Rugby sign hooker Charles on short term deal

Posted on Aug 19, 2011 in Gloucester

Gloucester Rugby can today confirm that they have signed Western Force hooker Nathan Charles on a short term deal.

22 year old Charles, who has recently finished the Super Rugby season with the Western Force, moves to Kingsholm on a short team deal as Argentinian international Matias Cortese has had surgery on a minor knee injury.

Cortese’s injury, along with Scott Lawson’s absence on Scotland international duty, means that Gloucester Rugby enter their preseason friendly campaign with only two fit hookers in England U20 international Koree Britton and Darren Dawidiuk.

Charles started his Super Rugby career with the ACT Brumbies and is a former Australian Schoolboys and U20s international.

And in October 2010 at 21 years of age, he was selected to the Qantas Wallabies Training Squad for the 2010 Spring Tour.

Currently on tour in Samoa with the Western Force, he will link up with the Gloucester Rugby squad very shortly and will be a welcome addition to the squad according to Head Coach Bryan Redpath:

“Nathan’s a very highly rated hooker in Australia. He’s got Super Rugby experience and has trained with the Wallabies.  We’re fortunate to be able to bring him in to cover Matias’ absence.”

“We had to act because if anything happened to Koree or Darren in the preseason games, we’d have no hooker cover for the start of the Aviva Premiership season. So, it’ll be good to have him on board.” 

Shervington hooks new Warriors contract

Posted on Mar 17, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Head Coach Richard Hill has confirmed that dynamic hooker Ed Shervington has agreed a new contract at Worcester Warriors.

Former Ospreys front row Shervington joined Warriors last summer and has made a total of 16 appearances for the club. The 26-year-old has scored tries against Rotherham Titans in the RFU Championship and Leinster A, Newport and Moseley Rugby in the British & Irish Cup.

The Newport-born hooker, who has been capped for Wales at Under-18, Under-19 and Under-21 level, has now signed a new one-year deal at Sixways.

“We have retained Ed and we are very happy with him as he is developing all the time,” said Head Coach Richard Hill.

“With the three hookers we have in Chris Fortey, Aleki Lutui and Ed we could have gone for two of any three of those in recent weeks. I have gone for continuity in recent weeks and Ed has missed out in the last few games.

“But I feel Ed could come into the first team and do equally as well, he played against Moseley recently in the cup and played very well indeed. I have 100 percent confidence in Ed.

“We are looking to the future and he is a modern day hooker who is fast, athletic, mobile and very, very fit. He will be very good long-term asset for Worcester Warriors.”

Shervington added: “I’m very pleased to sign a new contract at Worcester as I have enjoyed my year here. I love the boys and have enjoyed working under the coaching team at Warriors.

“I have had a fair bit of game time this year and feel I have developed as a player. Now I’m looking forward to making an impact in the league play-offs and helping us get promoted. Happy days.”