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.

Murphy and Deacon return to Tigers line-up

Posted on Oct 26, 2012 in Leicester Tigers

Geordan Murphy and Louis Deacon return to the Leicester Tigers starting line-up for Saturday’s Aviva Premiership Rugby Round 7 trip to Gloucester.

Club captain Murphy has recovered from a knee injury suffered in the draw with Saracens in Round 3, while Deacon returned from injury to play as a replacement in last weekend’s win over the Ospreys and is now given a starting place.

The duo have almost 550 first-team appearances for Tigers between them, and director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: “Geordan and Deacs are two of our most experienced players and two of the leaders in the camp so it is good to have them back in the squad.

“We’ve had a decent start but it is important that we keep our form going, especially with the autumn international period coming up.”

Tigers are without Miles Benjamin, Tom Croft, Brett Deacon, Rob Hawkins, Wessel Jooste, Julian Salvi and Richard Thorpe this week due to injury.

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Tigers look to top table leaders Quins

Posted on Sep 21, 2012 in Leicester Tigers

Jordan Crane will captain Leicester Tigers on the return to Welford Road for the match against defending Aviva Premiership champions Harlequins on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off).

No8 Crane has been part of the matchday squad in all three games so far this season, but runs out at the head of the team in the absence of Geordan Murphy, who suffered a knee injury in the draw against Saracens at Wembley last weekend.

Scott Hamilton reverts to full-back in place of Murphy, with Niall Morris coming into the backline.

Matt Smith is also included.

Boris Stankovich and Martin Castrogiovanni are in the front row alongside hooker Tom Youngs.

Adam Thompstone, a summer signing from London Irish, could make his Tigers debut after being included among the replacements.

Tickets for Saturday’s game between last season’s Aviva Premiership finalists are still available from the Tigers ticket office. Phone 0844 856 1880 or call in at Welford Road (open until 5pm Friday and from 9am Saturday) to book. Or book online at www.leicestertigers.com

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RFU Podcast: Rowntree, Joseph, Wilkinson, Balshaw, Dallaglio

Posted on May 18, 2012 in Latest Rugby News

Graham Rowntree analyses the unique challenges facing England on this summer’s tour to South Africa in this week’s RFU Podcast.

We also hear from a stellar cast including Jonny Wilkinson, Iain Balshaw and Lawrence Dallaglio as well as England youngster Jonathan Joseph.

England forwards coach Rowntree has first-hand experience in South Africa as forwards coach with the British & Irish Lions in 2009 and insists any side that wants to win there has to earn the right to play at the breakdown.

He also analyses the prospects for newcomers like Tom Youngs, Graham Kitchener and Joe Launchbury who are all part of Stuart Lancaster’s 42-strong touring squad.

Centre Joseph, coached by new England man Mike Catt at London Irish, tells us he’s ready to stake his claim on tour and in the Killick Cup game against the Barbarians on May 27 at Twickenham Stadium.

World Cup winners Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon) and Iain Balshaw (Biarritz) talk about being on opposite sides on Friday night at the Stoop in the final of the Amlin Challenge Cup.

The Dallaglio-Flintoff Cycle Slam is due to finish on Friday after an epic 2,872km trek from Greece to London raising money for Cancer Research UK and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Dallaglio reports on his progress and weighs up the prospects for Leinster and Ulster at Twickenham Stadium in this weekend’s Heineken Cup final.