E-mail Article Print-Friendly Version Contact Us

USA

News | Profile | Anthem | Tickets

Preview: Saxons v USA

Thursday 05th June 2008

At the back: Foden will have to play at full-back for the Saxons

England Saxons coach Steve Bates has named Northampton Saints' new signing Ben Foden at full-back for their opening Churchill Cup game against the USA on Saturday.

Foden, who moved to Franklins Gardens in hope of securing the England scrum-half spot, will don the fifteen jersey in a side that features five full internationals.

Centres Ollie Smith and Anthony Allen, scrum-half Paul Hodgson, hooker George Chuter and flanker Chris Jones all feature as the Saxons launch their defence of a trophy they won at Twickenham last year.

Leeds winger Tom Biggs gets an early chance to impress having been called into the squad as a late replacement for Tom Varndell, who in turn was promoted to the senior squad.

"Selection was very close in virtually all positions, and it certainly wasn't an easy process," Bates said of his team selection.

More to follow...

The Teams:

Saxons: 15 Ben Foden (Sale Sharks), 14 Tom Biggs (Leeds), 13 Ollie Smith (Montpellier), 12 Anthony Allen (Gloucester), 11 Matt Banahan (Bath), 10 Ryan Lamb (Gloucester), 9 Paul Hodgson (London Irish), 8 Jordan Crane (Leicester), 7 Will Skinner (Harlequins) (c), 6 Chris Jones (Sale Sharks), 5 George Skivington (Wasps), 4 Richard Blaze (Leicester), 3 David Wilson (Newcastle), 2 George Chuter (Leicester), 1 Nick Lloyd (Saracens).
Replacements: 16 Andy Titterrell (Gloucester), 17 Jack Forster (Gloucester), 18 Tom Guest (Harlequins), 19 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), 20 Steffon Armitage (London Irish), 21 Nick Abendanon (Bath), 22 Ugo Monye (Harlequins).

USA Eagles: tbc

Date: Saturday 7 June, 2008
Kick-off: 14:00 (local) 18:00 (GMT)
Venue: Twin Elm Rugby Park
Match officials: tbc