Handsworth flanker Henry Skinner will make his debut for the England Deaf team in their second and final international of the season against Scotland at Broadstreet RFC near Coventry on Sunday March 9 (1pm).
Skinner was in England's training squad for the defeat by Wales at Broadstreet five weeks ago but was not included in the final 22-strong match squad.
He is one of two newcomers in England's squad for the Scotland game along with Nathan Bird of Teddington who has been named as a replacement.
Skinner is one of ten Midlands players in England's squad alongside his Handsworth club-mate Craig Pothecary, Jamie Bishop and Brett Pruce of Aylestone St James, Mike Keeling of Stone, Tom Cowdale of Wolverhampton, Adam Smallwood of Bridgnorth and Tim Quigley, Andrew Morris and Alan Edge of Northampton Mens Own.
Smallwood, who will be winning his second cap, will again be vice-captain with his half-back partner Mark Lewis of East Grinstead captaining England.
The current Miss Deak UK Kellie Moody will add a touch of glamour to the day by presenting the Kolkata Cup trophy to the winning captain and caps to the England players.
"It's a great honour to be invited along to this game to present the players with their caps and to present the trophy to the eventual winners," she said. "I'm really looking forward to a great game. Having a hearing impairment myself I have the utmost respect for these guys who can play a team sport to the level they do."
The England Deaf team drew with Scotland 15-15 in last season's corresponding fixture.
The squad is drawn from club-registered English players from across the country who have a certified hearing impairment the equivalent of being fully deaf in one ear although many of the players have a profound hearing impairment.
The England v Scotland match is being supported by the National Deaf Children's Society and will be preceded by a morning coaching session for youngsters with hearing impairments.
The session will be conducted by qualified RFU coaches and some members of the England Deaf team will also be in attendance.
Tickets for the England v Scotland Deaf International cost just £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions.
England Deaf rugby team: 15 Charlie James (New Brighton); 14 Gavin Jackson (Selby), 13 Guy Lavery (Tinbridge Wells), 12 Alex Astbury (Twickenham), 11 Tim Quigley (Northampton Mens Own); 10 Marl Lewis (East Grinstead - captain), 9 Adam Smallwood (Bridgnorth); 1 Robert Hill (Folkestone), 2 Matt Vandenbrouck (Paignton), 3 Nick Todd (Petersfield), 4 Kris Mannering (Guildford), 5 Tony Wilkinson (Chinnor), 6 Henry Skinner (Handsworth), 7 Brett Pruce (Aylestone St James), 8 Ian Collins (Sevenoaks). Replacements (from): Tom Cowdale (Wolverhampton), Nathan Bird (Teddington), Nick McKen (Burnham on Sea), Brett Hanratty (Ryton), Gareth Waterfield), Mark Todd (Andover), Mike Keeling (Stone), Jamie Bishop (Aylestone St James), Craig Pothecary (Handsworth), Andrew Morris (Northampton Mens Own), Alan Edge (Northampton Mens Own). |
