JON CALLARD, THE England Saxons coach, has added five new faces in a revised squad to face the Ireland Wolfhounds this weekend.
Matt Hopper, Paul Hodgson, Rupert Harden, Ed Slater and Kearnan Myall have all been included in Callard’s 25-man panel, which assembled in Devon today to begin their preparations for Saturday’s game at Sandy Park.
For Hopper, Slater and Harden, it is their first call-up to England’s second-string side, while Myall returns after featuring in the Saxons team which won the Churchill Cup in 2010.
Hodgson, who has nine full international caps at scrum-half, is included almost two years after his last appearance for England, which came as a second-half replacement in the defeat against Ireland in the 2010 Six Nations.
Three of England’s World Cup party — Matt Banahan, Delon Armitage and Thomas Waldrom — are also included in a squad which Callard says has a lot to offer.
“This squad has got a great deal of longevity,” said Callard. “They’ve all got something to offer to the national team, whether they’re coming down from the senior squad, or they’ve been injured, or if they’re young players going up.
“Everyone’s got a contribution to make and it’s all about the future.”
At the announcement of his 25-man Wolfhound squad last Thursday, Declan Kidney promised to take Saturday’s performance into account before he names his panel for the Six Nations opener against Wales on 5 February.
A number of fringe players, including Leinster winger Luke Fitzgerald, will be hoping for a strong performance against the Saxons to re-establish themselves in the coach’s plans for the tournament.
“The Wolfhounds game gives myself and the other coaches one final chance to give games to players to see possible options before we settle on our matchday 22 for the opening game of the Championship,” Kidney said.
“It also gives us the opportunity to have a closer look in training at some of the younger players, rather than bringing in more experienced players, who are very much still in the frame for selection.”
England Saxons squad
Backs: Nick Abendanon (Bath Rugby), Delon Armitage (London Irish), Matt Banahan (Bath Rugby), Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby), Matt Hopper (Harlequins), Paul Hodgson (London Irish), Ryan Lamb (Northampton Saints), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), Ugo Monye (Harlequins), Billy Twelvetrees (Leicester Tigers), Micky Young (Leicester Tigers).
Forwards: Chris Brooker (Harlequins), Paul Doran-Jones (Northampton Saints), Matt Garvey (London Irish), James Gaskell (Sale Sharks), Joe Gray (Harlequins), Rupert Harden (Gloucester Rugby), Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors), Kearnan Myall (Sale Sharks), George Robson (Harlequins), Andy Saull (Saracens), Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers), Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers), Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby).
Why do they need a 25,000 seater stadium when they play all of their games in croke park? #Joke
They want one so they don’t have to play all their games in Croke Park
Just thought the exact same thing!!
They need one as Parnell Park is too small and also so as to not have to use Croke Park all the time. People give out because they use Croker all the time but now people are finding fault that they want to their own facilities/stadium and not have to rely on Croker all the time?
Spot on Dave. Personally i think it’s a great idea, would be great to play the league games there and sell it out. Great atmosphere on a Saturday evening
Just a guess Conor, but maybe so they don’t have to play their games in a half empty Croke Park?
I know it’s in a tight residential area but just upgrade Parnell park a bit?
They looked into that, there’s no space unfortunately.
Cause we can
Such a shame. From a selfish point of view, the Spawell would have been a handy venue to get to and from
any idea who went and out bid them?
Leinster county delegates 10 against 1 for (Laois) , fear of losing gates receipts of Croke Park , remember only for the Dublin cash cow most county boards would fold
You can’t beat Parnell Park, I hope the Dubs don’t leave there any time soon.