England Women name team for winner takes all clash in European Cup

Posted on May 18, 2012 in England Women

The England Women’s team to play France in the winner takes all FIRA-AER European Cup clash this Saturday in Rovereto, Italy, kick off 630pm BST, has been announced.

Head Coach Graham Smith has made five changes, and one positional, to the team that defeated Italy 32-8 on Tuesday. Lichfield’s Sarah Hunter will once again captain the side which welcomes back Emily Scarratt (pictured) and Katherine Merchant to the starting line-up. Both Merchant and Scarratt were involved in England’s victory in the IRB Challenge Cup Sevens in London on Sunday.

Bristol’s Marlie Packer and Worcester’s Rochelle Clark return to bolster a strong England pack, while Ceri Large moves to fly-half and Kim Oliver is back in at centre.

Smith, whose side like France have defeated both Italy and Spain in this tournament, said: “The spirit in the camp is very good and we are confident that we have a strong enough team to defend our European Cup crown.

“This is a strong England pack, while our backs have also been performing. Georgina Rozario is playing some of her best rugby ever at scrum-half, and Ceri Large is developing into a good international fly-half. Kim Oliver has also been in top form this season, Emily, Kat and Danielle are world class players while Lydia really has the potential to be a world class wing.”

The final England versus France match is set to be a thriller with matches this season between the two sides evenly matched. France have beaten England twice this season, but England took the most recent victory in the RBS 6 Nations in March.

Smith added: “Our players like nothing better than playing France and they’ll be really up for it. We know we’ll have to be at the top of our game for this one, with France being a tough and physical side. Like us they have some new caps in their squad, but they also have the nucleus of their Six Nations side here. They have a good kicking game, can move the ball around well and have a big effective pack and we know they’ll be really up for this match.”

(more…)

Italy 8 England 32

Posted on May 16, 2012 in England Women

England women on course to defend their crown

England Women are on course to defend their European Cup crown after a second successive victory, this time against Italy, which saw Graham Smith’s side run in six tries against a determined Italian outfit in Rovereto, Italy.

Bristol’s Sally Tuson, on just her second cap, ran in a brace of tries, while Harriet Millar-Mills (pictured), Lydia Thompson, another new cap, Danielle Waterman and Rowena Burnfield all crossed Italy’s line. England’s defence also stood up to a tough test with a feisty Italian side pushing England throughout the game.

Smith, who has taken on the Head Coach role for this tour, said: “It may be a cliché but I am extremely pleased and proud of this team. This tournament is proving that we have got some very good players coming through. We have got some really exciting players in Sally Tuson, Lauren Cattell and Lydia Thompson, while our more experienced players have been fantastic leading this young side both on and off the pitch.

“We played some quality rugby today, but at the same time we also need to be more consistent and work on our discipline as we gave away some penalties. Our defence, however, was awesome as Italy really could have scored more tries than they did and it is a testament to this side that we just kept knocking them back. ”

Italy punished England early on when England were penalised at the breakdown and fly-half Veronica Schiavon stroked over a penalty after just two minutes.

But the visitors were by no means put off their stride and a break by Richmond lock Burnfield saw the ball offloaded to Gemma Sharples and then out to the wing and into the clutches of centre Tuson who powered over the line. Chesham fly-half Lauren Cattell couldn’t make the conversion.

14 minutes in and England had established a 10-3 lead. A good England scrum, five metres out, saw the pack drive forward and Lichfield’s No. 8 Millar-Mills picked up to dive over the try-line.

England’s dominance continued with a try straight after the kick off when England secured the ball in their 22. The pack powered forward again, creating a solid platform for the backs which eventually saw vice-captain and fullback Danielle Waterman dive over under the posts.

(more…)

England Women’s team announced for European Cup clash against Italy

Posted on May 14, 2012 in England Women

England Women’s Graham Smith has made eight changes, one positional, to the starting line-up that defeated Spain 61-0 on Saturday for Tuesday’s FIRA-AER European Cup clash against Italy, kick off 5pm, BST, in Rovereto, Italy.

Bristol’s Amber Reed is set to make her debut after being named in the starting line-up at centre, while Lichfield’s Fiona Fletcher, who is a late call-up to the squad after an injury to Becky Essex, could also make her England bow if she is called off the bench. 18-year-old Lauren Cattell will make her first start for England at fly-half after coming off the bench against Spain on Saturday and scoring a try on her debut.

Smith has shaken up the pack with a new-look front-row for this game, with Rosemarie Crowley, Vicky Fleetwood and Laura Keates all starting. Rowena Burnfield and Gemma Sharples will also start. Katherine Merchant and Emily Scarratt return to the England XVs set-up after their victory in the IRB Challenge Cup Sevens at the Marriott London Sevens at the weekend.

Graham Smith, who has stepped up to Head Coach for this tournament, said: “Given that the unity of this new looking side has gelled quicker than anticipated I am fully confident that we are capable of putting on a good performance against Italy.

“This will be a big game for Lauren Cattell starting at fly-half and Amber Reed in the centre. Despite her young years, Lauren has taken everything in her stride and she certainly has the potential to be a very good player. Amber has also shown herself to be big and powerful and her running game and distribution are real positives. Teaming up with Silly Tuson in the centres I think they have the potential to be quite a combination.”

England head into Tuesday’s match on the back of an impressive 61-0, 11 try victory over Spain in the opener. Italy are set to be much tougher opponents pushing France to a 22-19 victory at the weekend.

Smith added: “We won’t be underestimating Italy at all. They put on a really good performance against France and we know they will be tricky. They are a big, robust side with a good offload game and some attacking flair. We will certainly be looking to ensure that our scrum and line-out platforms work effectively to create some good ball for our backs, who have the pace to be very dangerous.”

(more…)

Four uncapped players will make their England debuts against Spain

Posted on May 10, 2012 in England Women

Four uncapped players will make their England debuts in Saturday’s opening FIRA-AER European Cup campaign against Spain, kick off 430pm BST, in Rovereto, Italy.

Worcester’s Lydia Thompson, Bristol’s Sally Tuson and Darlington Mowden Park Sharks’ Ruth Laybourn will form a new look backs line-up for England, while Bristol’s Kate Newton will join an experienced front-row comprising of Rochelle Clark and Emma Croker who share 93 caps between them.

Worcester’s Danielle Waterman will start at fullback, her first game since the victorious autumn international series against world champions New Zealand, whilst Ceri Large and Georgina Rozario are the half backs.

In the forwards, Lichfield’s Sarah Hunter wears the captaincy armband and she is joined in the pack by fellow Six Nations winners Emily Braund, Tamara Taylor, Marlie Packer and Harriet Millar Mills.

On the bench Fiona Davidson (Richmond) and Lauren Cattell (Chesham) are also set to make their England debuts.

Graham Smith, England’s Head Coach for this tournament, said: “Despite this being a relatively new look England side, training has gone well and the squad have come together really well. I have been impressed with the squad’s approach to training and their discipline and they are working together really well. There will obviously be some challenges for the new caps on Saturday and that is where our experienced players will be vital.”

(more…)

Ireland Under-20 Squad Named For Junior World Championship

Posted on May 8, 2012 in Ireland U20

The Ireland under-20 Squad, sponsored by PwC, for the Junior World Championship in South Africa has been named. The 28 man squad named today by Head Coach Mike Ruddock is drawn in Pool B alongside England, Italy and the hosts South Africa.

The core of the squad featured in the recent under-20 Six Nations Championship which saw Ireland lose out to England in a Grand Slam decider in March.

Seven of the squad featured in the 2011 Junior World Championship. Flankers Shane Buckley and Aaron Conneely, second row Iain Henderson and prop Tadhg Furlong will add experience up front.

In the back line, Ruddock can call upon the experience of Paddy Jackson, who recently starred in Ulster’s Heineken Cup Semi Final win, JJ Hanrahan and scrum-half Kieran Marmion who all featured in 2011.

Ireland under-20 Head Coach Mike Ruddock said, “We are coming into the IRB Junior World Championship on the back of a relatively successful Six Nations having won four out of five of our matches. This gives us some confidence going into the tournament.   However, we are in an extremely physical group. We have hosts South Africa up first, followed by the 6 Nations champions England and then the ever improving Italians.   It will require a massive effort from our part to overcome such physical size and power but we intend to give it our best shot.”

*Details of a media opportunity with Head Coach Mike Ruddock and selected players in advance of their departure to the tournament will be announced shortly.

Ireland U-20 Squad (IRB Junior World Championship, South Africa 2012)

Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne /Leinster)

Shane Buckley (Garryowen/Munster)*

Jake Cawley (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

Jordon Coghlan (UCD/Leinster)

Sam Coghlan Murray (UCD/Leinster)

Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

Aaron Conneely (Corinthians/Connacht)*

Barry Daly (UCD/Leinster)

Chris Farrell (Dungannon/Ulster)

Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)*

Conor Gilsenan (UCD/Mullingar /Leinster)

J.J. Hanrahan (UL Bohemians/Munster)*

Iain Henderson (Queens University /Ulster)*

Foster Horan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)*

Shane Layden (Buccaneers /Connacht)

Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)*

Cathal Marsh (Trinity College /Leinster)

Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster)

Des Merry (Clontarf/Leinster)

Peter Nelson (Dungannon/Ulster)

Alan O’Connor (UCD/Leinster)

Stuart Olding (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

James Rael (Garryowen/Munster)

Peter Reilly (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Niall Scannell (Dolphin RFC/Munster)

Mikey Sherlock (Clontarf/Leinster)

Josh Van Der Flier (UCD/Leinster)

*Featured in 2011 Junior World Championship

IRFB Junior World Championship Fixtures:

Pool B (all times are local)

4th June, England v Italy, K.O. 16:45 (University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town)

4th June, South Africa v Ireland, K.O. 18:45 (Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch)

8th June, South Africa v Italy, K.O. 18:45 (University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town)

8th June, England v Ireland, K.O. 18:45 (Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch)

12th June, Ireland v Italy, K.O.14:45 (Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch)

12th June, South Africa v England, K.O. 18:45 (Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch)