The USA International Rugby Squad will be visiting Priory Park (Macclesfield RUFC) for a training session on Tuesday the 15th May 2007 between 4.00 and 6.00pm. They are taking part in the Churchill Cup Competition during the months of May & June. Their first game is on Friday the 18th May at Edgeley Park Stockport, against England Saxons. We have an agreement with the squad that the last half hour of the training session will be open to the public, press and media. If any Rugby supporter would like to visit the ground and watch the side train between 5.30 and 6.00pm then you are very welcome to do so.

between 5:30 and 6:00 pm? If I ever meet you in a pub I'll be happy to buy you 10cl of bitter.....

But seriously, good luck the Eagles, and give our best to Dan Lyle from his friends here in Bath.

So 1 game at Edgeley Park costs the same as 3 games at Twickenham... Interesting. Damn RFU, always after more money!

£20 for finals day is mighty tempting...

Hatley to lead England Saxons in USA opener



London Irish prop Neal Hatley will captain England Saxons in the opening match of the Barclays Churchill Cup against the USA at Edgeley Park this Friday, 18 May (live on Sky Sports 3, kick off 7.45pm)



Hatley, who will become the Exiles' Academy Manager next season, has been given the task of leading a squad light on international experience but brimming with youthful talent and Premiership experience, by coaches Jim Mallinder and Rugby World Cup winner, Dorian West.



Whilst the uncapped Hatley, an inaugural 2003 Barclays Churchill Cup winner, provides the experience up front, the backline features two capped players in London Irish’s Shane Geraghty, who lines up at inside centre, and Dan Scarbrough of Saracens, who will wear the number 15 shirt. The match also provides an opportunity for Sale Sharks’ scrum half Richard Wigglesworth to take the pitch in front of his home crowd.



Said England Saxons coach Jim Mallinder, ”Despite our youth and lack of international experience, this is a side with a great deal of Guinness Premiership experience. Many, like Neal Hatley, Kevin Sorrell, Dan Scarbrough, Delon Armitage, Topsy Ojo and Ryan Lamb, have been regulars for their clubs throughout the season and have performed consistently well at that level.



“Like us, all the players are excited by the challenge of coming together to take on an experienced side like the USA. They are a tough team who have already qualified for the Rugby World Cup in September.



“We’ve chosen Neal to lead the team. He is vastly experienced and, following another very successful season at London Irish, is well respected by all the squad. His experience and leadership will be crucial to us on the pitch.”



Jordan Crane will start at number 8 following his early release by Leicester Tigers ahead of the Heineken Cup this weekend. The replacements bench will not be confirmed until nearer the match.



England Saxons team to play USA

Friday 18 May, kick off 7.45pm, Edgeley Park



15 Delon Armitage (London Irish)

14 Dan Scarbrough (Saracens)*

13 Kevin Sorrell (Saracens)

12 Shane Geraghty (London Irish)*

11 Topsy Ojo (London Irish)

10 Ryan Lamb (Gloucester Rugby)

9 Richard Wigglesworth (Sale Sharks)

1 Neal Hatley (London Irish) CAPTAIN

2 David Paice (London Irish)

3 John Brooks (Northampton Saints)

4 Richard Blaze (Worcester Warriors)

5 Jim Evans (NEC Harlequins)

6 Phil Dowson (Newcastle Falcons)

7 Will Skinner (NEC Harlequins)

8 Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers)



The replacements bench to be selected from

Chris Brooker (NEC Harlequins from 1 July 2007)

Jack Forster (Gloucester Rugby)

Nick Kennedy (London Irish)

Tom Mercey (Saracens)

Kieran Roche (London Irish)

David Seymour (Saracens)

Matt Thompson (Newcastle Falcons)

Ben Woods (Newcastle Falcons)

Lee Dickson (Newcastle Falcons)

Paul Diggin (Northampton Saints)

Adrian Jarvis (NEC Harlequins)

Nils Mordt (London Irish)



* denotes capped players