Churchill Cup 2006

The England Saxons, who will also play matches against other Six Nations opponents next season, will be coached by the Rugby Football Union's National Academy coaches, reporting to England Head Coach Andy Robinson OBE.

Andy Robinson said: “The future success of rugby in England depends, to a large extent, on the next best 15 players.

“England Saxons is a key part of the development pathway to the senior side and myself and the other coaches will have close contact with the team.

”The England Saxons will give up and coming players a platform to perform in an international environment and to show that they can make the step up when required.”

David Barnes to lead England Saxons' Churchill Cup defence

DAVID BARNES will lead England Saxons in defence of their Barclays Churchill Cup title in Canada next month.

The Bath Rugby prop was today named by England Head Coach Andy Robinson OBE as the tour captain of a 28-man squad for the six-team tournament.

In addition, there will be match day captains for the pool games against Scotland A and Canada in Toronto on June 3 and 10 respectively and the Barclays Churchill Cup finals in Edmonton on June 17.

Barnes, who follows Hugh Vyvyan (2003 & 2004) and Pat Sanderson (2005) as previous skippers, said: "I'm delighted to be the tour captain of a quality squad and the first under the new England Saxons name.

"This is a group of players who really want to prove themselves on this tour. After winning the Churchill Cup last year we are obviously going out there to retain that title and this is also an ideal opportunity to press for full England selection ahead of the World Cup.

"You look at the guys like Perry Freshwater, Lee Mears and of course Pat Sanderson who had good Churchill Cups last season and were then involved in the Autumn tests – that's something for the guys to look at and to strive for."

Andy Robinson said: "David is a highly respected and experienced player with the right leadership qualities for a tour that is an important vehicle in the development of England internationals."

London Irish have been rewarded for reaching the Guinness Premiership semi-finals and European Challenge Cup final with six tourists, including first year professional Delon Armitage and Academy hooker David Paice, while Llanelli Scarlets scrum-half Clive Stuart-Smith is also included.

Robinson added: "I am pleased that again we have a squad of young and experienced players to defend the title.

"The expanded tournament means that the players will have more game time against different opposition and that can only be of benefit.

"This squad will not only want to win the competition again but put down a marker for the future that playing for the Saxons really means something both in its own right and as a gateway to the senior side."

England Saxons fly to Canada on Monday May 29 with Luke Narrraway (Gloucester Rugby) and Richard Haughton (Saracens) joining the party after the Emirates Airline London Sevens (June 3 and 4) ahead of the second game against Canada (June 10).

England Squad

Backs
Delon Armitage (London Irish)
Chris Bell (Leeds Tykes)
Alex Crockett (Bath Rugby)
Shane Drahm (Worcester Warriors)
Ayoola Erinle (London Wasps)
Richard Haughton (Saracens)
Paul Hodgson (London Irish)
Michael Horak (London Irish)
Ben Johnston (Saracens)
Paul Sackey (London Wasps)
Clive Stuart-Smith (Llanelli Scarlets)
Sam Vesty (Leicester Tigers)
Richard Wigglesworth (Sale Sharks)

Forwards
David Barnes (Bath Rugby, Tour Captain)
Andy Beattie (Bath Rugby)
James Buckland (Leicester Tigers)
Kai Horstmann* (Worcester Warriors)
James Hudson (Bath Rugby)
Nick Kennedy (London Irish)
Robbie Morris (Newcastle Falcons)
Luke Narraway (Gloucester Rugby)
David Paice (London Irish)
Kieran Roche (London Irish)
Dean Scholfield (Sale Sharks)
David Seymour (Saracens)
Stuart Turner (Sale Sharks)
Micky Ward (Newcastle Falcons)
Ben Woods (Newcastle Falcons)

* replaces James Forrester who is released to fully recover from a right shoulder joint sprain.

Match Schedule

Known as the A team since 1992, the side will be called England Saxons from now on.

A name change is part of the RFU's Strategic Plan and was achieved after consultation with all stakeholders including players, coaches, the media, sponsors and fans.

The Saxons, who will also play matches against other Six Nations opponents next season, will be coached by the Rugby Football Union's National Academy coaches, reporting to England Head Coach Andy Robinson OBE.

Sponsored by O2 like the seniors, the Saxons will have their own branded playing kit.