September 9, 2007

Stourbridge wingman Tom Jarvis goes into his second game for the England RU Counties XV tomorrow (Monday, September 10) against Spain in the FIRA/AER Rugby Festival in Morlaas, South West France (18.00) with a clear ambition - to get a better share of the ball that was flying around so freely in the opening game against Russia.

In that game the England team, the representative flagship of the County and Community game outside the Premiership, produced a breathtaking exhibition of fluent, adventurous Rugby. They scored 12 tries in the process and produced the most exhilarating display ever seen from a Counties XV.

But Jarvis, despite being involved in some of the build-up, did not score and rarely had the kind of space he needed to use his finishing skills.

"If we play the same as we did against Russia we should get some more ball and if Spain are as big as we are led to believe, we can move them round the field and hopefully the gaps should open up for the back three," he says: "We had to work hard for the tries against Russia and it will be interesting to see what the Spanish team is like. I can’t see them being different to the Russian in that they will not be falling off tackles and we’ll have to rely on phase play. We’re going to have to be well drilled on that front, but we’ve been working hard on it in training, so we should be well prepared.

"The squad is definitely more relaxed about the ambitious style of play we are trying to play. We can get away with much more than we would get away with in club rugby. We can just be more expansive and play the game as we like it. As a wingman, that’s brilliant."

One man who might be able to help the cause is Tynedale full-back Jack Smales, who makes his Counties XVB debut, following in the footsteps of his brother Hamish. He is also a player with plenty of pace and a sharp rugby brain and can bring an added dimension to the back-play.

Sadly, one Northerner who will be missing tomorrow is fly-half Alastair Simmie. The Durham University was in the starting line-up, but had to withdraw when he damaged his thigh practising his place-kicking at the end of today’s morning session.

Tristan Roberts, the outstanding player in the win over Russia takes the No 10 shirt.

England Counties XV (v Spain, Monday, September 10, 2007, 18,00 in Morlaas): Jack Smales (Tynedale & Northumberland); Nick Royle (Fylde & Lancashire), Kyle Dench (Otley & Yorkshire), Paul Mooney (Otley & Northumberland), Tom Jarvis (Stourbridge & Gloucestershire); Tristan Roberts (Cinderford & Kent), James Doherty (Wharfedale & Yorkshire); Chris Rowland (Stourbridge & Somerset), Dean Bick (Blackheath & North Midlands), Peter Joyce (Redruth & Cornwall), Matt Owen (Manchester & Cheshire), Thomas Bason (Blackheath & Kent), James Kellard (Blackheath & Kent), Dan Cooper (Durham University & Durham), David Archer (Henley & Hertfordshire).

Replacements: Glenn Cooper (Redruth & Somerset), James Darren Jacques (Redruth & Cornwall), Richard Snowball (Otley & Yorkshire), David Allen (Blackheath & Kent), Craig Aikman (Halifax & Lancashire), James Jenner (Stourbridge & Gloucestershire), ), Chris Malherbe (Wharfedale & Yorkshire), Frankie Neale (Blackheath & Kent), Chris Malherbe (Wharfedale & Yorkshire)