Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Big changes for England U20s
There are changes across the board in the England U20 starting line-up for this weekend's game against Wales. Only six players remain from the starting line-up that fell 36-22 to France.
That result a couple of weeks ago was the first time the junior team had ever been defeated, or even seriously stretched. Only last summer they won the U20 Nations Cup against what most observers would have said were the leading U20 teams in the world, winning final against the USA by an astonishing 110-0. For such an well prepared, experienced team to lose to France U20s - who hardly ever get together at all, never mind actually play anyone - was a surprise, and the margin of defeat a complete shock.
Wales at home should be a rather different matter than France away, and England should not be seriously troubled. Even more interesting is that the game will be the first international to be played at the Surrey Sports Park - the home of this summer's World Cup. In some respects it will be almost a dress rehearsal for August's tournament, with the English and Welsh teams "testing" the almost brand new facilities (though hopefully in August it will be a bit warmer!).
Click here for full team details and RFU's preview
That result a couple of weeks ago was the first time the junior team had ever been defeated, or even seriously stretched. Only last summer they won the U20 Nations Cup against what most observers would have said were the leading U20 teams in the world, winning final against the USA by an astonishing 110-0. For such an well prepared, experienced team to lose to France U20s - who hardly ever get together at all, never mind actually play anyone - was a surprise, and the margin of defeat a complete shock.
Wales at home should be a rather different matter than France away, and England should not be seriously troubled. Even more interesting is that the game will be the first international to be played at the Surrey Sports Park - the home of this summer's World Cup. In some respects it will be almost a dress rehearsal for August's tournament, with the English and Welsh teams "testing" the almost brand new facilities (though hopefully in August it will be a bit warmer!).
Click here for full team details and RFU's preview
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England U20
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