England Saxons set to invade Canada

May 15, 2006



via Rugby Canada:

London, England

England will defend their Barclays Churchill Cup title in Canada next month under a new name – England Saxons.

Known as the A team since 1992, the side will be called England Saxons from now on and will play Scotland A and Canada in Toronto on June 3 and 10 respectively before the Churchill Cup finals in Edmonton on June 17.

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.”

The Barclays Churchill Cup squad will be announced tomorrow and Robinson added: “The squad travelling to Canada not only want to retain the Churchill Cup but put down a marker for the future that playing for the England Saxons really means something both in its own right and as a gateway to the senior side.”

Sponsored by O2 like the seniors, the England Saxons will have their own branded playing kit and RFU Business Operations Director Paul Vaughan said: “The England Saxons will play a vital role in the Elite Rugby structure.

“We have consulted with all stakeholders including players, coaches, the media, sponsors and fans and the consensus was unanimous – a strong motivated England Saxons team is essential to the future success of the England national team.

“You only have to look at the 10,000 strong crowd who turned out to watch the team take on Ireland A at Kingsholm in March to see how popular this level of rugby is.

“We are confident that with the England Saxons we now have a team with a real identity to take into the Churchill Cup and forthcoming seasons.”

- RFU -

Saturday, June 3rd

Pool A (Toronto)
England Saxons v Scotland A
York Stadium 2.45pm

Pool B (San Francisco)
USA v Ireland A, Santa
Clara Stadium 2pm

Wednesday, June 7th

Pool A (Ottawa)
Canada v Scotland A
Twin Elm Stadium 6.30pm

Pool B (San Francisco)
USA v New Zealand Maori
Santa Clara Stadium 7.30pm

Saturday, June 10th

Pool A (Toronto)
England Saxons v Canada
York Stadium 2.45pm

Saturday, June 17th
(Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton)
Matches from 12pm
Barclays Churchill Cup, Bowl final
Barclays Churchill Cup Final
Barclays Churchill Cup Plate final

Source: Rugby Canada