England U18 name squad for Wales game

Posted on Apr 2, 2012

England Under 18 have named their side to take on Wales in tomorrow’s FIRA tournament semi-final in Madrid, kick off 2.30pm (UK time).

Head Coach John Fletcher has made eight changes to the side that beat Georgia 58-8, with Hartpury College players Josh Buggea, Ross Moriarty, Callum Braley and Billy Burns among those coming into the side.

Ireland and France contest the other semi, with the final set to be played next Saturday, but Fletcher isn’t looking that far ahead just yet.

“We’re just really looking forward to the game tomorrow, we’ve reviewed Georgia and there are areas to improve on – but we’re just looking to get better each game we play," he said.

“It will be a really tough contest against the Welsh, they’ve played well in their three games this season and we know it’s going to be a good match. But our players are very much looking forward to it and can’t wait to get out there.”

England Under 18 starting XV

15 Zach Kibirige (Yarm School) (Newcastle Falcons)
14 Josh Watkins (Bromsgrove School) (Worcester Warriors)
13 Tom Stephenson (Moulton College) (Northampton Saints)
12 Javiah Pohe (Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth 1st) (Leicester Tigers)
11 Nathan Earle (Oaklands) (Saracens)
10 Billy Burns (Hartpury College) (Gloucester Rugby)
9 Callum Braley (Hartpury College) (Bristol Rugby)

1 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (Moulton College) (Northampton Saints)
2 Harry Thacker (Leicester Grammar) (Leicester Tigers)
3 Scott Wilson (Sedbergh School) (Newcastle Falcons)
4 Maro Itoje (Harrow School) (Saracens)
5 Charlie Ewels (Bryanston School) (Bath Rugby)
6 Ross Moriarty (Hartpury College) (Gloucester)
7 Gus Jones (C) (Eton College) (London Wasps)
8 Josh Buggea (Hartpury College) (Worcester Warriors)

Replacements

16 Reece Marshall (Moulton College) (Northampton Saints)
17 Harry Rudkin (Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth 1st) (Leicester Tigers)
18 Alex Lundberg (Hampton) (London Wasps)
19 Jake Oldaker (Wellington College) (Bath Rugby)
20 Joel Conlon (Ivybridge Community College) (Exeter Chiefs)
21 Tom Chapman (Colfe’s School) (Saracens)
22 Sam Olver (Oundle School) (Northampton Saints)
23 George Catchpole (Leicester Grammar) (Leicester Tigers)
24 Nick Carpenter (Filton College) (Bristol Rugby)
25 Max Northcote-Green (Millfield) (Bath Rugby)
26 Howard Packman (Moulton College) (Northampton Saints

Warburton returns to captain Wales vs. England

Posted on Feb 21, 2012

Sam Warburton returns to captain Wales in one of three changes made to the side which triumphed over Scotland last time out for the RBS 6 Nations third round visit to Twickenham on Saturday.

Ospreys second row Alun Wyn Jones comes straight into the starting line-up against England, after completing his return from a toe injury to join up with the squad earlier this week and will win his 60th cap.

That means last week’s captain, his regional colleague Ryan Jones, moves to the bench, with Sale Sharks back row Andy Powell missing out.

Finally, Scarlets hooker Ken Owens makes his first start for his country in place of injured Osprey Huw Bennett (calf).

Owens won the second of his two caps as a replacement in the 27-13 win over the Scots at the Millennium Stadium just under a fortnight ago and made his debut from the bench against Namibia in the Pool stages of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The Wales backline remains unchanged from that which started both victories so far in the Championship, against Ireland in Dublin and Scotland in Cardiff.

“A fit again Alun Wyn Jones is selected based on his Rugby World Cup form and his experience as an international lock,” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

“He gave us a selection dilemma but it has been a great problem to have and, whilst Ryan Jones is particularly unlucky to miss out on this occasion, this is just that kind of competition for places we have been striving for.

“Ken Owens has been waiting patiently for his chance and whilst injuries elsewhere have meant he gets his opportunity this weekend we are expecting him to take it.”

On the bench Osprey Richard Hibbard provides the front row cover alongside prop Paul James (with Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees also ruled out with a calf problem) and fellow Osprey Jones replaces Sale Sharks back row Andy Powell, with Justin Tipuric completing the forward replacements.

Blues scrum half Lloyd Williams, Perpignan pivot James Hook and Scarlets centre Scott Williams are all retained to provide cover for the backs.

WALES: Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North; Rhys Priestland, Michael Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Ken Owens, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Danny Lydiate, Sam Warburton (C), Toby Faletau

REPLACEMENTS: Richard Hibbard, Paul James, Ryan Jones, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Scott Williams

WALES

15 Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,060)
DoB: 22.12.88. 5’10” / 1.77m. 13st 2lbs / 83kgs
International record: 29 caps (W 14, L 15; 105 pts – 11T, 4C, 14PG)

14 Alex CUTHBERT (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,089)

DoB: 05.04.90. 6’6” / 1.98m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs

International record: 3 caps (W 2, L 1; 5 pts – 1T)

13 Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,066)

DoB: 05.04.88. 6’1” / 1.86m. 16st 3lb / 103kgs

International record: 24 caps (W 13, L 10; 35 pts – 7T)

12 Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,057)

DoB: 08.11.86. 6’4” / 1.93m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

International record: 41 caps (W 20, L 21; 20 pts – 4T)

11 George NORTH (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,078)

DoB: 13.04.92. 6’4” / 1.92m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs

International record: 18 caps (W 8, L 9, D 1; 50 pts – 10T)

10 Rhys PRIESTLAND (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,080)

DoB: 07.01.87 1.82m / 6’0”. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs

International record: 12 caps (W 8, L 4; 50 pts – 1T, 12C, 7PG)

9 Mike PHILLIPS (BAYONNE – Cap No 1,022)

DoB: 29.08.82. 6’3” / 1.91m. 15st 10lb / 101kgs

International record: 62 caps (W 30, L 29, D 2; 40 pts – 8T)

1 Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,006)

DoB: 17.11.80. 6’2” / 1.88m. 18st 9lbs / 118kgs

International record: 84 caps (W 38, L 44, D 2; 20 pts – 4T)

2 Ken OWENS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,088)

DoB: 03.01.87. 6’1” / 1.86m. 17st 8lbs / 112kgs

International record: 2 caps (W 2)

3 Adam JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,018)

DoB: 08.03.81. 6’0” / 1.83m. 18st 12lb / 120kgs

International record: 77 caps (W 37, L 37, D 3; 10 pts – 2T)

4 Alun Wyn JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,046)

DoB: 19.09.85. 6’5” / 1.96m. 18st 10lbs / 119kgs

International record: 59 caps (W 25, L 34; 35 pts – 7T)

5 Ian EVANS (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,045)

DoB: 04.10.84. 6’8” / 2.04m. 18st 3lbs / 116kgs

International record: 19 caps (W 8, L 10, D 1; 5 pts – 1T)

6 Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,071)

DoB: 18.12.87. 1.93m / 6’4”. 17st 10lbs / 112kgs

International record: 21 caps (W 9, L 11, D 1)

7 Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES, CAPTAIN – Cap No 1,070)

DoB: 05.10.88. 1.88m / 6’2”. 16st 4lbs / 103kgs

International record: 25 caps (W 13, L 12; 10 pts – 2T)

8 Toby FALETAU (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,082)

DoB: 12.11.90. 1.88m / 6’2”. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

International record: 13 caps (W 7, L 6; 10 pts – 2T)

REPLACEMENTS

16 Richard HIBBARD (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,048)

DoB: 13.12.83. 6’0” / 1.83m. 17st 7lbs / 111kgs

International record: 15 caps (W 7, L 8)

17 Paul JAMES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,021)

DoB: 13.05.82. 6’1” / 1.86m. 18st 2lbs / 115kgs

International record: 33 caps (W 14, L 18, D 1)

18 Ryan JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,029)

DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5” / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

International record: 60 caps (W 30, L 28, D 2; 5 pts – 1T)

19 Justin TIPURIC (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,087)

DoB: 06.08.89. 1.88m / 6’2” 15st 10lbs / 100kgs

International record: 3 caps (W 2, L 1)

20 Lloyd WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,086)

DoB: 30.11.89. 6’0” / 1.83m. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs

International record: 6 caps (W 4, L 2; 10 pts – 2T)

21 James HOOK (PERPIGNAN – Cap No 1,047)

DoB: 27.06.85. 6’0” / 1.83m. 14st 12lbs / 94kgs

International record: 61 caps (W 27, L 32, D 2; 326 pts – 12T, 40C, 58PG, 4DG)

22 Scott WILLIAMS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,084)

DoB: 10.10.90. 6’0” / 1.83m. 15st 3lbs / 97kgs

International record: 9 caps (W 5, L 4; 20 pts – 4T)