England's Churchill Cup Head Coach is Joe Lydon

The Rugby Football Union has announced that Joe Lydon will be England's Head Coach for the Summer 2005 - Churchill Cup tournament to be held in Edmonton Canada June 19-26th.  

Other England senior coaches selected by Lydon to join the management team are,  Phil Keith-Roach in charge of scrummaging, Simon Hardy forwards coach, Calvin Morriss is fitness coach and Defence skills coach is Damian McGrath of  the National Academy.  Lydon will announce a squad of 26 England players on 18th April for the Churchill Cup and the squad leave for Canada on the 9th June 2005.

Unfortunately the defending champions the New Zealand Maori will not be attending this year, as they will be stalking larger prey.  The Maori will be taking on the British and Irish Lions who will be touring in New Zealand this summer.

Last year's Churchill Cup Final score was Maori 26 - England A19 and in the inaugural year of the tournament 2003, England A ran out comfortable winners.  In the past England A have always been the side on tour, however as the 'Lions' will included some of the elite England players but not all, this year's squad will be very interesting to look out for as to who goes on tour and who does not.   The four teams involved in this year's tournament are Canada, England, USA and Argentina.   England will play Canada on 19th June, with the USA against Argentina the same day and the final will take place one the 26th June.  

Commenting on the tour Joe Lydon said,

"The Churchill Cup offers players the perfect opportunity to further develop their international careers. England's tour to North America four years ago was the forerunner to the competition and when you realise that the likes of Ben Kay, Julian White, Martin Corry, Josh Lewsey and Lewis Moody were all involved, it's easy to appreciate how invaluable such tours can be.

"Some players may be disappointed if they are not selected for the Lions tour, but the Churchill Cup offers them the ideal opportunity to establish their international credentials for future years. With Argentina taking part this year and the New Zealand Maoris last year, I've no doubt Canada will be hosting a tremendous competition."

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