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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Jones respectful of Pirates threat

Posted on May 16, 2012 in London Welsh

If London Welsh are to win the Championship they’ll have to do something they haven’t managed all season, beat the Cornish Pirates.

The two games between the sides in the regular season produced a comfortable win for the Pirates at Mennaye Field, while three late Alex Davies penalties salvaged a 17-17 draw for Welsh at Old Deer Park.

Of course, the Pirates also came out on top, 18-10, in last year’s one-off semi-final at Mennaye Field.

“The Cornish Pirates are a very good side,” said Jones. “They don’t rely on any particular type of rugby or strength, they’ve got the ability to play all types of rugby and I would be very respectful of that.

“That’s what you’ve got to have. To have a sniff of going up you’ve got to be able to pay all types of rugby.

“They’ve got a good kicking full back, they’ve a very sound organised pack of forwards and they finished third and we finished fourth in the regular season.

“But throughout the season both teams have grown and we’re really looking forward to an opportunity to show ourselves at the highest level in this league.

“From where we were in September to where we are now is chalk and cheese. We’re a confident side with the ability to play a bit of football, and just like the Cornish Pirates we can also play all types of games as and when it suits.”

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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.

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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.”

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Inside England Sevens: Ben Ryan column

Posted on May 10, 2012 in England Sevens

England Sevens Head Coach Ben Ryan reports on the build up to the Marriott London Sevens, the final event of this season’s HSBC Sevens World Series

LAST stop London! After 75,000 miles clocked up travelling around the globe, our final destination in the HSBC Sevens World Series this year for the first time ever is Twickenham Stadium and the Marriott London Sevens.

I can tell you it was a dream to just have a short flight from Glasgow to London as it’s not uncommon for us to cross multitudes of time zones as we move from one venue to another. I think as a result this weekend you will see a lot of energy from all the teams on the pitch as they can use the time this week to recharge and get ready for 100,000-plus supporters this weekend in the finale of the series.

Last weekend was a big step in the direction of travel for this team and England Sevens. We have always wanted to play a fast attacking style but it has taken time to really hit its straps. It’s not a quick fix and it takes time to put in this sort of cultural model into play.

I guess we put down a major marker of how determined we are to play this way by our approach in extra-time in the semi final against Fiji.

We caught the ball off our own kick off and then went 18 passes, one ruck, about 40 metres backwards and across the width of the field three times before finding the space to exploit and score the winning try.

I was so pleased to see all the hours of practice pay off and it was even better it was tested under the duress of extra time against such a fantastic team like Fiji.

The final felt like one that got away and with around 90 seconds left and 19-14 down against New Zealand we felt all we needed was to get hold of the ball and our attack would grab the decisive winner.

Alas, we were penalised near our line and effectively with it the game was over and our chance gone. Yes, we had three tough games against Australia, South Africa and Fiji in the run to the final but we felt fresh and ready for the battle.

So, we left disappointed but also quietly pleased now we know that our style is bedded in and as more games are played the confidence will grow and we will improve more and more.

It’s been the first time we have also had a group playing that we know are in the programme next year as well, so collectively everyone is driving hard in the same direction. It is a hugely exciting time and I’m sure we will inevitably hit some choppy waters this weekend and in the future but the progress the lads have made has been brilliant and I’m so proud of their efforts.

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