Stuart Lancaster releases names of match 22 for Saxons Cup clash against Canada – Rugby update
Defending champions, England Saxons, have announced their match 22 for their Churchill Cup final against Canada on Thursday, June 16. Saxons’ head coach, Stuart Lancaster, was the one to make the announcement about the line-up for their Saturday, June 18
final clash against Canada at Sixways Stadium, Worcester.
Lancaster has made three changes to the Saxons side that beat Tonga 41 – 14 on Sunday, June 12 at Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester. Graham Kitchener and Miles Benjamin who were left out of the Tonga clash have been included in the squad this time around.
Kitchener has replaced the injured David Attwood in the second row, while Miles Benjamin will start as winger in place of London Irish’s Topsy Ojo as winger. Miles Benjamin scored a try’s hatrick in Saxons 2011 Churchill Cups opening game against the USA
Eagles. Kritchner also scored a try in the game in which Saxons thrashed USA Eagles 87 – 8.
Lancaster has expressed his disappointment at the loss of Attwood but expressed his satisfaction that Kritchner can perform in an all-important match. He said, “It's disappointing to lose Dave Attwood off the back of three good performances against the Barbarians
and in the Churchill Cup but it's a great opportunity for Graham Kitchener.”
Lancaster has moved the Saracens’ back Alex Goode on to the bench and named Harlequins’ Mike Brown to start the match at the fullback position. He said, "We've also got a lot of quality options in the backs and as the game progresses we envisage that the
players coming off the bench will make a big impact.”
Commenting on the Canadian team, Lancaster said, “We're aware of the threat that Canada pose. They have played well in their wins against Italy A and Russia. They are a fit, well-coached and organised side who have spent a considerable amount of time together
over the last few years. They will fight for the full 80 minutes so we've got a big challenge ahead of us to retain the trophy."
Saturday’s clash will be the last match for the Kitchner at Worcester Warrior’s home ground. Kitchner has signed a new deal with the Leicester Tigers for next season.
The England Saxon’s squad for the 2011 Churchill Cup final includes,
Starting xv: 15 Mike Brown (Harlequins) , 14 Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby) , 13 Henry Trinder (Gloucester Rugby) , 12 Billy Twelvetrees (Leicester Tigers) , 11 Miles Benjamin (Worcester Warriors) , 10 Rory Clegg (Harlequins) , 9 Paul
Hodgson (London Irish) , 1 Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors) , 2 David Paice (London Irish) , 3 Matt Stevens (Saracens) , 4 Mouritz Botha (Saracens) , 5 Graham Kitchener (Worcester Warriors) , 6 James Gaskell (Sale Sharks) , 7 Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs) ,
8 Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers, captain)
Replacements: 16 Joe Gray (Harlequins) , 17 Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby) , 18 Jamie Gibson (London Irish) , 19 Carl Fearns (Sale Sharks) , 20 Micky Young (Newcastle Falcons) , 21 Alex Goode (Saracens) , 22 Topsy Ojo (London Irish)
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