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
Labels:
England U20
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Most popular posts in last 30 days
- World Cup Sevens preview: Pool A
- New arrangements for post-match food at home
- France win U20 series 3-0
- So... Where now with the Letchworth Girls' blog?
- RFU forums are back
- A great day out!
- RFUW proposes a whole new world for 2010/11
- National 7s - seeding. "Just for fun"...
- New season, new structure, new controversy
- Rochford 10s Rugby Festival
Most Popular Posts of all time
- World Cup Sevens preview: Pool A
- New arrangements for post-match food at home
- The best rugby photos of the year
- Herts Sevens 2012: Enter now!
- So... Where now with the Letchworth Girls' blog?
- RFU forums are back
- Familiar face in short-list for IRB "Rugby Photo of the Year"
- Matt Damon to star in new rugby movie
- Wanted: Revolving Door Engineer...
- Women's rugby.... in 1928!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.