England Saxons Team for Churchill Cup Final

Churchill Cup

After sitting out of last week’s victory over Ireland A, the Harlequins flanker returns to lead the side in one of four changes.

Will Skinner Captain

 But head coach Steve Bates has chosen to leave intact the back line that carved up the Irish, scoring an impressive five tries, including two for tournament top try scorer Matt Banahan (five) and one for man of the match Nick Abendanon.

 “Our last two matches have been played in contrasting styles,” said Bates, “but we’ve turned in two good team performances. “Against the USA we broke them down consistently, whereas the Irish were much more physical. 

Having coached Scottish side Borders for two years and led Scotland A to victory over England in this tournament two years ago, Bates is well aware of the challenges his team will face in their quest to retain the trophy.   “I know what the Scots are capable of,” he said. 

“They will pose some significant threats that we need to be aware of, especially the likes of Rob Dewey.  We mustn’t give them a chance to get their heads in front.”   

With Chris Jones at lock and Jordan Crane returning to his favoured Number 8 position,  Harlequins’ Chris Robshaw earns his first Saxons start as he lines up in the back row alongside club team mate Skinner. After making some tough selection decisions, forwards coaches Simon Hardy and Toby Booth believe they’ve got the balance right for this game.    

“Chris Robshaw will bring a huge amount of physicality to the contact area,” said Hardy. “We know how important this will be against the Scots, this is his opportunity to get out there and do what he’s good at.” Booth added, “Both our sevens (Steff Armitage and Will Skinner) contributed well in the first two matches.  Will got the nod to start but we expect Steff to make a major impact later on in the game.” 

With Newcastle Falcons prop David Wilson called up by the senior squad, Gloucester prop Jack Forster celebrates his 21st birthday today by earning his first start for the Saxons, this time on his favoured tight-head side. Forster’s elevation makes room on the bench for Wasps prop Tom French and with Harlequins Number 8 Tom Guest not considered due to a rib injury, Leeds lock Stuart Hooper also joins the replacements.  

The Barclays Churchill Cup final takes place on Saturday, June 21, at Toyota Park, Chicago, kick off 2.05pm local time (8.05pm UK time) and is being televised live on Sky Sports 2.  

It will be preceded at 11.45am by the Plate Final between Argentina A and Ireland A to determine the third and fourth spots.  At 4.25pm, the USA and Canada will contest the Bowl Final which, as well as being a fully sanctioned Test match for IRB ranking points, will determine who finishes the tournament in fifth and six place.   

England Saxons team to play Scotland A

Barclays Churchill Cup final

15. Nick Abendanon (Bath Rugby)*
14. Ugo Monye (Harlequins)
13. Ollie Smith (Leicester Tigers)*
12. Anthony Allen (Gloucester Rugby)*
11. Matt Banahan (Bath Rugby)
10. Ryan Lamb (Gloucester Rugby)
9. Paul Hodgson (London Irish)*
1. Alex Clarke (Bristol Rugby)
2. George Chuter (Leicester Tigers)*
3. Jack Forster (Gloucester Rugby)
4. Chris Jones (Sale Sharks)*
5. George Skivington (London Wasps)
6. Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
7. Will Skinner (Harlequins, captain)
8. Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers)
 
Replacements
16. Andy Titterrell (Gloucester Rugby)*
17. Tom French (London Wasps)
18. Stuart Hooper (Leeds Carnegie)
19. Steffon Armitage (London Irish)
20. Lee Dickson (Newcastle Falcons)
21. Adrian Jarvis (Harlequins)
22. Ben Foden (Sale Sharks)
 
* Denotes capped player

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