England Announce 2005 Churchill Cup Squad

England named the squad for the Churchill Cup 2005 to be held in Edmonton Canada in June.  This is the third year of the Churchill Cup tournament. England depart on 9th June and play Canada on 19th June, with the USA v Argentina earlier the same day. The final takes place one week later. Joe Lydon will lead the squad, as Andy Robinson will be with Sir Clive Woodward on Lions duty in New Zealand.  

Robinson said   "Joe will do a great job and leads a strong management team to Edmonton. We're expecting this to be an outstanding group of players and it's an important tour for England.

Pat Sanderson -Worcester Warriors captain, has been named as captain for the Churchill Cup squad, with Andy Gomarsall of Gloucester as vice captain. Pat said:

"I'm overjoyed by the news, just thrilled really. It's a wonderful way to start the week and with the likes of Andy Gomarsall as Vice Captain and Mike Tindall on the tour there'll be a lot of experience and support on board. This is a great set of players and the Churchill Cup is a good tour to bring on new talent as well.

"Joe Lydon is a great motivator of men and has been fantastic to be around when he was involved in England Sevens. We're going to Canada to win and anything less would be a disappointment for us."

Andy Robinson talking of Pat Sanderson appointment said:-
"When choosing who should captain the side, although a player like Phil Vickery, who has captained England in the past was a consideration along with other candidates, it was felt most appropriate to name Pat Sanderson. He has played and captained his club regularly this season and to great effect and he thoroughly deserves leading England in June".

Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle Falcons), Mike Tindall (Bath) and Phil Vickery (Gloucester) are selected to travel to Edmonton, three players named by Sir Clive Woodward as possible Lions, depending upon fitness. 

Robinson commenting on the possible Lions contenders said:-"I think it's right that Wilkinson, Tindall and Vickery are announced in our squad today. If any of them are later called up for Lions duty then great, they will go with our blessing and if not, they will all benefit from being on the Churchill Cup tour."

Joe Lydon is aware of the tour's importance in progressing England players' careers.  

"This is a tour with a serious purpose for England, very much looking to the future. There's a nice blend of experience and young talent involved. You only need to look at who toured North America in 2001, the likes of Martin Corry, Josh Lewsey, Lewis Moody, Ben Kay and Julian White, to realise how the Churchill Cup can be a springboard for so many famous careers.

"We decided to rest some key players this summer who played a large part in the recent RBS 6 Nations, such as Jamie Noon, Joe Worsley and Mark Cueto, so they can be fully prepared for next season and the important autumn Tests. Others such as Alex King, Leon Lloyd and Andy Beattie could not be considered because of injuries. This is also the first England call up for Stuart Hooper, who has shown great form for his club, Leeds Tykes."

27 year old Pat Sanderson (Worcester Warriors) was one of those players who went on the 2001 tour to North America. He also took part in last year's Churchill Cup and is thrilled to be chosen as captain this year.


England Churchill Cup Squad
England Squad For Barbarians Week
 
CHUTER George – Leicester Tigers
CUETO, Mark – Sale Sharks
DEACON, Louis – Leicester Tigers
ERINLE, Ayoola - London Wasps
FORRESTER, James – Gloucester
GOMARSALL, Andy - Gloucester  (Vice Captain)
GOODE, Andy - Leicester Tigers
HOOPER, Stuart - Leeds Tykes
JONES, Chris –Sale Sharks
LUND, Magnus - Sale Sharks     
MEARS, Lee - Bath
MONYE, Ugo – NEC Harlequins
MORRIS, Robbie - Northampton Saints
NOON, Jamie - Newcastle Falcons
PALMER, Tom – Leeds Tykes
RICHARDS, Peter - London Wasps
SACKEY, Paul - London Wasps
SANDERSON, Pat – Worcester Warriors (Captain)
SIMPSON-DANIEL, James - Gloucester
TAIT, Mathew – Newcastle Falcons
VESTY, Sam - Leicester Tigers
VOYCE, Tom – London Wasps
VYVYAN, Hugh - Saracens
WARD, Micky - Newcastle Falcons
WORSLEY, Mike – NEC Harlequins

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