England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
By Patrick
January 28 2009
England Saxons boss Stuart Lancaster has selected a young and exciting side to take on Portugal at Edgeley Park on Friday night. Lancaster's side has an average age of just 22, but is full of Premiership and international experienc with several players looking to make a big impression on England manager Martin Johnson ahead of the Six Nations.
January 28 2009
England Saxons boss Stuart Lancaster has selected a young and exciting side to take on Portugal at Edgeley Park on Friday night. Lancaster's side has an average age of just 22, but is full of Premiership and international experienc with several players looking to make a big impression on England manager Martin Johnson ahead of the Six Nations.
ENGLAND SAXONS v PORTUGAL
England Saxons Head Coach Stuart Lancaster has named four Tigers in the team to take on Portugal this Friday. As well as this, recently banned Harry Ellis makes a welcome return to action a week before the Six Nations is due to commence. His inclusion in the starting line up will give England manager Martin Johnson a chance to assess the England scrum half's form in time for the start of the tournament. England’s young guns, whose average age is just 22, take on Portugal’s full international side, known as Los Lobos or the Wolves, at Stockport’s Edgeley Park, home of Sale Sharks this Friday, January 30 (8pm, live on Sky Sports 1).
Up front, Leicester’s Dan Cole props down at loose-head whilst his Tigers team mate Jordan Crane moves from his usual No 8 position to join Wasps’ George Skivington in the second row. Crane’s place in the back row is taken by skipper Phil Dowson, whilst Saxons newcomers Kearnan Myall (Leeds Carnegie) and Andy Saull (Saracens) start on the flanks. Completing the pack are fellow Saxons’ debutant and Wasps’ hooker Rob Webber and experienced Falcons’ prop Dave Wilson. Said Head Coach Stuart Lancaster, “This is a team based on potential for the future and that’s very much what England Saxons, and this game especially, is about. “It’s a great opportunity for a lot of young talented players to put a marker down on the international stage.”
Five of last year’s successful England U20s squad that won the Grand Slam and reached the final of the Junior World Championship are joined by a host of other young players, like Barnes and Powell, who have already shown their form in the Guinness Premiership. “Then you’ve got the likes of Phil Dowson and Jordan Crane who will bring experience as well as their club form into the side,” added Lancaster. For England scrum half Harry Ellis, the match marks his return to action after a six week absence. “Harry has been outstanding all week in training and it’ll be great for him to get some game time, “said Lancaster. “I know the senior coaches are keen to see him back in action and this is the perfect stage.”
Despite the short turn around, the players got together on Monday after a busy weekend of European action, Lancaster and Assistant Coach Paul Hull are pleased with their preparations. “The players have applied themselves very well and really bought into the culture of the team we’re trying to create. “They’re looking forward to challenging and expressing themselves against tough, and far more senior, international opposition.” London Irish flanker Jon Fisher, the youngest member of the squad at just 20, joined the squad yesterday in place of the injured Ben Woods and takes his place on the bench. “Jon is another example of a player who excelled in the Under 20s World Championship and this is a great development opportunity for him,” said Lancaster. Tickets for England Saxons match against Portugal this Friday are available from Sale Sharks (www.salesharks.com) and are priced at just £10 for adults and £5 for juniors. England Saxons Replacements * Denotes capped player Portugal: tbc England Saxons fixtures 2009 January 30 February 6 June 6-20
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England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: Unofficial England Rugby Union (IP Logged)
Date: 28/01/2009 16:45
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Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: whingebasher (IP Logged)
Date: 28/01/2009 17:47
Yes there really is a God in heaven.
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: The Hookers Union (IP Logged)
Date: 29/01/2009 13:20
Can't wait....
will be at Edgeley Park tomorrow....
will be at Edgeley Park tomorrow....
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: Battering Ram Winger (IP Logged)
Date: 29/01/2009 17:23
Locks must be a bit thin on the ground if we're having to pick Crane there! (I know most of them are unavailable)
Bravo Dowson, but he could do with a move to a club where he's not getting constantly pummelled, he's a fine player.
Bravo Dowson, but he could do with a move to a club where he's not getting constantly pummelled, he's a fine player.
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: Hobnobs (IP Logged)
Date: 29/01/2009 17:35
Good team that.
How much better does the Saxons kit look than the one the seniors have to trot out in!
How much better does the Saxons kit look than the one the seniors have to trot out in!
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: whingebasher (IP Logged)
Date: 29/01/2009 17:52
Quote:The Hookers Union
Can't wait....
will be at Edgeley Park tomorrow....
`Aye. Bit far for me that. Ill be stuk in frunt`t telly wit beer cod chips an mooshy peez.
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: Patrick (IP Logged)
Date: 29/01/2009 18:06
Quote:Hobnobs
How much better does the Saxons kit look than the one the seniors have to trot out in!
Thankfully we're due a refresh in the summer I think. I'd love the sernior side to adopt the saxons design but I doubt that'll happen.
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: What? Me, ref? (IP Logged)
Date: 29/01/2009 19:17
Not only is the latest England kit hideous - the shirts have hundreds of little polystyrene dots which come off in the wash, and b**ger up your washing machine.
The recent withdrawals from the main squad have shown exactly why so many experienced players were named in the Saxons squad. If you need to replace front-line players, as you invariably do, the agreement only permits you to do that from the Saxons squad, so you can't fill that with nothing but promising rookies.
Hopefully, bingewasher has grasped that by now!
The recent withdrawals from the main squad have shown exactly why so many experienced players were named in the Saxons squad. If you need to replace front-line players, as you invariably do, the agreement only permits you to do that from the Saxons squad, so you can't fill that with nothing but promising rookies.
Hopefully, bingewasher has grasped that by now!
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: whingebasher (IP Logged)
Date: 29/01/2009 22:30
FUBCLAN
That was never the argument/point. The whole issue was about who PLAYS for the Saxons. Nothing more.
Follow the threads.
That was never the argument/point. The whole issue was about who PLAYS for the Saxons. Nothing more.
Follow the threads.
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: What? Me, ref? (IP Logged)
Date: 30/01/2009 07:58
Now I understand. We should have the experienced players in the Saxons squad, but they shouldn't actually play. Yes, that makes perfect sense. Can't think why I hadn't cottoned on to the wisdom of that before.
I know what a clan is, but I've never come across a fub before.
In stark contrast, I'm well acquainted with binges and washers.
Pray tell us, o Wise One - what is the next stage of your master plan?
I know what a clan is, but I've never come across a fub before.
In stark contrast, I'm well acquainted with binges and washers.
Pray tell us, o Wise One - what is the next stage of your master plan?
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: Battering Ram Winger (IP Logged)
Date: 30/01/2009 09:19
I happen to side with whingebasher on this, in that the EPS system is brainlessly stupid. Only the powers that be that run English rugby, both nationally and in the club game, could invent such a hamfisted way of ensuring that conservative picks dominate the team which should be there for the development of youth rather than as a pool of old gits to call up for more of the same tired old stuff (Worsley, for heaven's sake!).
Johnson bent it to breaking point with Armitage, so that's one good thing.
Johnson bent it to breaking point with Armitage, so that's one good thing.
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: What? Me, ref? (IP Logged)
Date: 30/01/2009 10:05
I agree that the EPS system is stupid, and the agreement now seems to be up there with Neville Chamberlain's 'Peace in our Time" - but criticism seems to have focused on the selection, rather than the reasons behind it. The way they have picked this squad is the best way to live within an unsatisfactory system - so don't slam the selection, slam the system
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: whingebasher (IP Logged)
Date: 30/01/2009 12:59
Quote:Clubfan1
Now I understand. We should have the experienced players in the Saxons squad, but they shouldn't actually play. Yes, that makes perfect sense. Can't think why I hadn't cottoned on to the wisdom of that before.
I know what a clan is, but I've never come across a fub before.
Pray tell us, o Wise One - what is the next stage of your master plan?
I cant think why you didnt cotton on to that either.
I could offer a few possibilities mind you, but Im a polite and respectful individual.
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: Battering Ram Winger (IP Logged)
Date: 30/01/2009 13:41
Slam both, I say.
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: What? Me, ref? (IP Logged)
Date: 30/01/2009 14:54
Fair enough, but what exactly would you do? Would you fill the Saxons squad with young players, many of whom aren't even playing regular first team rugby, knowing that you might have to call them in to the 6N squad, if first choice players are withdrawn?
That would be even dafter than the system which currently dictates selection. It's crazy that the Saxons squad selection can't be seen in isolation, and has to be done with an eye on the implications for the senior squad, but that's the system, and it would be idiotic not to select in a way which makes the best of a@#$%&system. It's the system which is at fault, as it is responsible for the selection.
That would be even dafter than the system which currently dictates selection. It's crazy that the Saxons squad selection can't be seen in isolation, and has to be done with an eye on the implications for the senior squad, but that's the system, and it would be idiotic not to select in a way which makes the best of a@#$%&system. It's the system which is at fault, as it is responsible for the selection.
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: whingebasher (IP Logged)
Date: 30/01/2009 16:09
The Saxons squad was 32 players. Tonight just as in every professional rugby game (have you noticed?) there will be 22 players in the stadium.
32 minus 22 apparently equals 12. Thats 12 players in the original squad who will have nothing to do with the Saxons game.
Thats 12 opportunities to have reserves for the big team.
Can you grasp that?
32 minus 22 apparently equals 12. Thats 12 players in the original squad who will have nothing to do with the Saxons game.
Thats 12 opportunities to have reserves for the big team.
Can you grasp that?
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: What? Me, ref? (IP Logged)
Date: 30/01/2009 16:40
Why pick the old lags just to have them sit on their backsides and wait for somebody to be injured? Anyone who is part of a squad should be there to play, not just to make up the numbers.
Young players learn far more from playing alongside somebody experienced than they will from playing in a team full of fellow rookies. Any A side should be a mixture of youth and experience. If you want a team full of young players, watch the U-20s.
Young players learn far more from playing alongside somebody experienced than they will from playing in a team full of fellow rookies. Any A side should be a mixture of youth and experience. If you want a team full of young players, watch the U-20s.
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: whingebasher (IP Logged)
Date: 30/01/2009 17:26
Saxons should be about young players and I for one was surprised and very happy that the selectors appear to have recognised that.
The players tonight will have to stand up for themselves without having a hand to hold on to. Its a big test of what they are really made of and theres nothing wrong with that.
Itll sort the men out from the boys.
Brutal? Yes, and why not?
The players tonight will have to stand up for themselves without having a hand to hold on to. Its a big test of what they are really made of and theres nothing wrong with that.
Itll sort the men out from the boys.
Brutal? Yes, and why not?
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: SK 88 (IP Logged)
Date: 30/01/2009 17:48
Club fan you can make good and reasoned arguments all you want, it'll be ignored at the alter of youth and "development". The squad designated saxons in the EPS needs to have the back ups to the first team in it as this is where the injury cover comes from. The Saxons team as selected to play portugal is another matter and I think its a good team with a nice balance. These are seperate issues.
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: Slater582 (IP Logged)
Date: 30/01/2009 23:34
Only saw the last 5 minutes.
Who impressed?
Who impressed?
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: phil_rich tea_now in leeds (IP Logged)
Date: 31/01/2009 01:05
Cato, Abendanon had pace and looked good. Alex Goode had some pace and direction to the game when he came on at 10.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:01:31:01:06:58 by phil_t.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:01:31:01:06:58 by phil_t.
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: Convex Hull (IP Logged)
Date: 31/01/2009 11:35
Cato has barely moved out of the academy, he has only played about 20 matches for Saracens in total, most of those in the last four months. He has improved a lot since November. Goode has even fewer first team appearances and has played at 15 this season, so way too early to expose them to anything more than the Saxons. I think that a lot of Sarries supporters consider Goode and Saull to be the most talented of the recent players out of the academy.
Goode changed the pace and accuracy of the game when he came on. Powell was much more effective with Goode, which is hardly surprising given that they are team mates.
England should be looking to get Barritt into an England shirt asap (if he wants to) as he was rated very highly by the saffers, but is still England qualified.
Goode changed the pace and accuracy of the game when he came on. Powell was much more effective with Goode, which is hardly surprising given that they are team mates.
England should be looking to get Barritt into an England shirt asap (if he wants to) as he was rated very highly by the saffers, but is still England qualified.
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: Bronze Whaler (IP Logged)
Date: 31/01/2009 13:00
What was Ellis thinking. Is the daisy-cutter charge down really the way forward? .. or just the way to the dugout?
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: Slater582 (IP Logged)
Date: 31/01/2009 13:29
Quote:England should be looking to get Barritt into an England shirt asap (if he wants to) as he was rated very highly by the saffers, but is still England qualified.
I thought he had played for SA 'A'?
Re: England Saxons team announced to face Portugal
Posted by: whingebasher (IP Logged)
Date: 31/01/2009 17:40
Cato is one to watch.
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