Christophers named for first full England cap

Full debut
By Duncan Wood
June 18 2002

Clive Woodward has named his England team to take on Argentina in Buenos Aires. On the left wing, making his full England debut, is the Bristol Shoguns' winger, Phil Christophers. Well done, Phil!

The call up to the full England team caps a remarkable season for Phil Christophers.

This time last season, he was in Australia with the England U21 team for the SANZAR tournament. He had just been announced as a Bristol signing along with Jason Little and Andrew Higgins.

The first few games of the season saw him starting on the left wing before moving into the outside centre position when Spencer Brown replaced Andrew Higgins.

His versatility has been a real bonus for the Shoguns as he has alternated between outside centre, left wing and even fullback. He has admitted that he likes to get his hands on the ball so centre is probably his preference although he is happy just to be picked!

His season has got better and better as he has been selected for the England A team and now the full England squad currently touring Argentina. He was also voted Bristol supporters' Player of the Season.

He made his debut for England in the non cap international against the Barbarians at Twickenham last month when he came away with two tries. He won't be expecting a repeat on Saturday as the Pumas are coming off the back of a tremendous win against France and club team mates, Agustin Pichot and Felipe Contepomi, will be preparing a warm reception!

The full team is as follows:

15 Michael Horak London Irish, 14 Tim Stimpson Leicester Tigers, 13 Geoff Appleford London Irish, 12 Ben Johnston Saracens, 11 Phil Christophers Bristol Shoguns, 10 Charlie Hodgson Sale Sharks, 9 Andy Gomarsall Gloucester

1 David Flatman Saracens, 2 Steve Thompson Northampton Saints, 3 Phil Vickery Gloucester (CAPTAIN), 4 Alex Codling NEC Harlequins, 5 Ben Kay Leicester Tigers, 6 Alex Sanderson Sale Sharks, 7 Lewis Moody Leicester Tigers, 8 Joe Worsley London Wasps

REPLACEMENTS

16 Mark Regan Bath, 17 Trevor Woodman Gloucester, 18 Hugh Vyvyan Newcastle Falcons, 19 Adam Balding Leicester Tigers, 20 Nick Walshe Sale Sharks, 21 Dave Walder Newcastle Falcons, 22 Kevin Sorrell Saracens