England Counties U20s name squad for Georgia Tour
By KBM
April 22 2013
ENGLAND COUNTIES U20s have named their squad for next month’s tour to Georgia. The 25 players will assemble on May 11 and depart the following day for Tbilisi, where they play two fixtures against Georgia U20s on Wednesday, May 15 and Saturday, May 18.
Fourteen counties are represented following selection during the Development Weekend (March 29-31) at Welbeck College, when the top 22 players from each of the four divisions competed for places. Counties U20s Team Manager Malcolm Ross said: “There were a number of players knocking on the door but we believe we have the right side for this tour. This squad offers a strong set piece and excellent outside attacking ability. “They are an athletic and intelligent group who are keen to learn and develop. I think they will adapt very quickly to the patterns and structures we have prepared for them.” A number of players have previous representative honours, including Jim Wigglesworth and Nico Woodward, who both featured in the squad last season. Wigglesworth went on to represent the senior England Counties on their June tour to East Africa. Ross added: “The mix of representation from the four divisions is very different to previous seasons. Wigglesworth is the only player from the Midlands this time, whereas last year the squad was dominated by that division. The reverse is true of London and the South East and to now have a larger contingent from there reflects the work of their coaches. “We are also delighted to see a spread of players from level three to seven as it shows the extent of talent we have available to pick from.” During the week-long tour the squad will visit schools and offer development opportunities to the host coaches and players. “We want the squad to be ambassadors and get out and meet as many people as possible – to share knowledge, techniques and experiences," added Ross. “Georgia will be a strong physical side but it will be valuable for them to face a team who play a more expansive form of rugby. Our hosts are eagerly anticipating our first tour to their country and I think it will be an experience of a lifetime for our players.” England Counties U20s Squad: Forwards Backs |
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England Counties U20s on the break against Georgia
England Counties U20s 25
Georgia U20s 13
England Counties U20s scored three tries in a tough contest against Georgia U20s at the Shevardeni High Performance Centre, Tiblisi on Saturday evening to complete a successful tour both on and off the field.
A try from Gloucestershire prop Ricky Cano gave England a 6-11 lead at half time as both teams successfully kicked two penalties.
Three converted tries were scored at five minute intervals during an action-packed period early in the second half. Seven points to Georgia separated tries from scrum half Thomas Banks and Berkshire back-row Samir Kharbouch, both converted by Rob Avery-Wright.
Head Coach Bob Hood said: “This Test match was an excellent display of powerful, controlled and aggressive rugby played by two talented teams. The mid-week fixture against a Georgia U20 Select XV was invaluable to our preparations as it gave an opportunity for every member of our squad to understand the demands of international rugby.
“This has been an excellent week in which we have achieved two wins and created a high quality environment for every player to develop. We are delighted with how this England Counties U20s programme continues to go from strength to strength.”
During the week the Counties U20s attended an Embassy reception and carried out coaching sessions in an orphanage in Tiblisi. The players were so moved by the outreach experience that they arranged for the children to be mascots and flag bearers for Saturday’s Test.
Team Manager Malcolm Ross said: “The players have been outstanding ambassadors for England Rugby and demonstrated absolute commitment and unity to beat a strong and well supported Georgian side on Saturday. This is a country whose rugby is going places and I am delighted that the England Counties U20s have been able to support the continued development of Georgian rugby.”
Scorers: Avery-Wright (2P, 2C), Cano (1T), Banks (1T), Kharbouch (1T)
England Counties U20s v Georgia U20s:
15. Jim Wigglesworth (Hull RFC, NLD, Midlands)
14. Jack Rossiter (Richmond RFC, Berkshire, South West)
13. Joe Allott (Sandal RFC, Yorkshire, North)
12. David Massey (Reading Abbey RFC, Berkshire, South West)
11. Ben Rath (Fylde RFC, Lancashire, North)
10. Rob Avery-Wright (Newton Abbot RFC, Devon, South West)
9. Thomas Banks (Bishop Stortford RFC, Hertfordshire, London & South East)
1. Ricky Cano (Hartpury College RFC, Gloucestershire, South West)
2. Will Roberts (Loughborough Students RFC, Hertfordshire, London & South East)
3. David Coutts (Esher RFC, Hampshire, London & South East)
4. Josh Pettet (Sevenoaks RFC, Kent, London & South East) (Captain)
5. Gareth Baxter (Cambridge RFC, Eastern Counties, London & South)
6. Samir Kharbouch (Henley Hawks RFC, Berkshire, South West)
7. Jesse Liston (Canterbury RFC, Kent, London & South East)
8. George Oram (Medway RFC, Kent, London & South East)
Replacements:
16. Mike Flook (Dings RFC, Somerset, South West)
17. Johnny Matthews (Otley RFC, Yorkshire, North)
18. Zac Cinnamond (Wadebridge Camels, Cornwall, South West)
19. Guy Van Den Dries (Darlingotn Mowden Park RFC, Yorkshire, North)
20. David Jones (Caldy RFC, Cheshire, North)
21. Edward Webster (Preston Grasshoppers RFC, Lancashire, North)
22. Nick Foster (Old Albanians RFC, Hertfordshire, London & South East)
23. Alex Seers (Chobham RFC, Surrey, London & South East)
24. Aiden Moss (Canterbury RFC, Kent, London & South East)
Ryan Redman (Medway RFC, Kent, London & South East) did not make the squad due to injury