England U19s team to take on World Champions

by Nicki Drinkwater RFU Press Office

 

In readiness for the England U19s’ IRB World Championship match against current world champions, South Africa, in Dubai tomorrow night (Thursday), RFU National Academy and England U19 coaches Nigel Redman and Damian McGrath today named their team.

 

Having won against Argentina 28 – 23 and lost against Ireland 16 – 17 this is an encounter that England U19s must win and must win well to stay in contention for the semi finals.

 

Said Redman, “It’s exciting because it’s a game where we’ve got everything to play for.  We need a real performance and we will have a far better chance of getting what we need if we improve on the last two games and eradicate the unnecessary, silly errors.  We had a big session on it yesterday and now it’s about every player fronting up, being accountable and responsible for the way they play.

 

“In the forwards it was important to have a balance between players who are fresh and players who can make an impact and to maintain that balance, particularly in the front five, with players starting and coming off the bench.  There were some very impressive performances up front against Argentina and there will be disappointment for not getting a start but we feel every player has a part to play.”

 

Said McGrath, “In terms of the backs we have gone for what we think is our most experienced line up for what is a must win game.  We picked Selorm Kuadey on the back of his impressive performance against Argentina, when not only did he score a try but he was a constant threat and certainly deserved to keep his place

 

“If we ever wanted to see how young players react and the stage of their development then to have them try to beat the world champions and score four tries and all on national television should give a good idea of how far they have come in the past nine months.”

 

The squad has been training, resting and focusing on the challenge ahead.  Last night, after the heat of the day, with the sun setting behind the towering Dubai skyline and the moon rising over the stands of the Exiles club where they play their South Africa match, 26 young men clad in white Nike Pros, blue shorts and bright red socks trained on while the shadows lengthened. Redman booted the ball high into his forwards as they lifted and leapt and the backs ran six v six, seeking the gaps and sprinting through.

 

Tomorrow night at 8pm, after New Zealand take on Australia, live on Sky Sport (5pm BST) they will be out there before a packed stand seeking victory.

 

 England U19s

15    David Doherty (Leeds Tykes)

14    Oliver Dodge (Leicester Tigers)

13    Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

12    Adam Powell (Saracens) captain

11    Selorm Kuadey (Sale Sharks)

10  Daniel Cipriani (London Wasps & Whitgift)

9    Danny Care (Leeds Tyles)

 

 

1  Matthew Mullan (Worcester Warriors)
2  Ross McMillan (Nottingham)
3  Tom Mercey (Saracens)
4  Dave Attwood (Bristol Rugby & Bristol Uni)
5  Ben Thomas (Saracens & Haileybury College)
6  Alex Shaw (Leicester Tigers)
7  Iain Grieve (Bristol Rugby)
8  Hugo Ellis (London Wasps & St Benedict’s)

 

 

Replacements

16    Jordan Page (Leeds Tykes)

17  Charlie Beech (Northampton Saints)

18  Daniel Cole (Leicester Tigers)

19  Sam McDonald (Worcester Warriors)

20  Joseph Simpson (London Wasps & St Benedict’s)

21  Richard Bolt (Exeter Chiefs, SWERA & Exeter College)

22  Chris Pennell (Worcester Warriors)

23  Jordan Turner-Hall (NEC Harlequins)

24  David Tait (Sale Sharks)

25  Adam Greendale (Leeds Tykes & Hymers College)

26  Andrew Saull (Saracens & Bancrofts School)

  

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