6 February 2008

Dowson to lead new look Saxons against Azzurri

Steve Bates has chosen Newcastle Falcons flanker Phil Dowson to lead England’s second string against Italy A in Sicily on Saturday (kick off 6.15pm local time).

Head Coach Bates, who retains 12 of the squad that recorded an impressive 31-13 victory over Ireland A at Welford Road last Friday, remains confident in the team’s ability to deliver.

“With Guinness Premiership games on this weekend we have agreed to release a number of players to play for their clubs,” he explained.

“I think it’s a great indication that we can still field such a strong and competitive squad despite only picking from half the Premiership.

“I’ve been impressed at how quickly the new faces have fitted in and how quickly the squad has come together.”

Making their England Saxons debut in Ragusa will be Bristol prop Alex Clarke, Bath lock Peter Short and Harlequins No. 8 Tom Guest.  Behind them, wingers Tom Biggs (Leeds Carnegie) and John Rudd (Newcastle Falcons) will also be making their first Saxons’ appearance.

The squad will train at Imperial College Training Ground near Heathrow before flying to Sicily tomorrow, Thursday.

England Saxons team to play Italy A

15.  Nick Abendanon (Bath Rugby)
14. John Rudd (Newcastle Falcons)
13. Delon Armitage (London Irish)
12. Alex Crockett (Bath Rugby)
11. Tom Biggs (Leeds Carnegie)
10. Adrian Jarvis (Harlequins)
9. Lee Dickson (Newcastle Falcons)
1. Alex Clarke (Bristol Rugby)
2. David Paice (London Irish)
3. Jason Hobson (Bristol Rugby)
4. Peter Short (Bath Rugby)
5. Nick Kennedy (London Irish)
6. Phil Dowson (Newcastle Falcons, captain)
7. Ben Woods (Newcastle Falcons)
8. Tom Guest (Harlequins)

Replacements

16. Andrew Long (Newcastle Falcons)
17. David Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)*
18. Andrew Springgay (Bayonne)
19. Will Skinner (Harlequins)
20. Danny Care (Harlequins)
21. Mike Brown (Harlequins)
22. Topsy Ojo (London Irish)

*Subject to availability following a Six Nations Rugby disciplinary hearing this afternoon.
Full player and management profiles and headshots are available from www.rfu.com/profiles.  For further information on fixtures and previous results please go to www.rfu.com/saxons.

England Saxons Fixtures and Results

England Saxons 31-13 Ireland A, Friday 1 February (7.45pm), Welford Road

Italy A v England Saxons, Saturday 9 February (6.15pm local time), Stadio Aldo Campo, Ragusa, Sicily.

Ends