On Friday evening in Cork a group of players wearing white with red roses on their chests will run out and take on the might of Ireland, they are our England Saxons and what a group they are too. 'It is the strongest Saxons' squad that I have been involved with' those were the words of Stuart Lancaster on announcement day and I have to say that I am in complete agreement with our Head Coach. Our 2015 England Saxons Squad contains a superb blend of old timers and talented newbies and the only truly upsetting thing is the fact that this year the side will only play one game of rugby together.
So, with a squad filled with so much talent which are the names that catch my eye? Well in all honesty I could write essays about every single individual in turn and highlight why they excite me, however in the essence of keeping things short and sweet I'll just pick a few. Up front England have a plethora of riches across both squads, a starting front row of Matt Mullan, Rob Webber and Henry Thomas is impressive in itself and then just take a look at the bench....! Behind them are five men that are all at the top of their games playing with confidence, James Gaskell is developing into one of the Premiership's most proficient line out specialists and in the back row Exeter's Thomas Waldrom has been flying this season.
Out the back England are launching a beautiful looking back line onto the Irish. Henry Slade, will pull the strings from 10, he is a man that makes professional rugby look effortless and his distribution is first class, superb given those outside of him. Naturally all eyes will be on Sam Burgess but let's not forget the proven capabilities of Elliot Daly, Marland Yarde and Chris Ashton. Both wingers have points to prove that they should be back in the Training Squad and that should deliver some bracing breaks and powerful runs in both of the outside channels. Personally I’m over the moon that Chris Pennell remains in the squad and starts at full back, Chris’ loyalty to Worcester is a credit to him and I’m ecstatic it hasn’t hindered his International progression. With the squad that has been picked for this game the England Saxons will look to play expansive and exciting rugby off the basis of a dominant yet piece and given the physical nature of the modern game some could still play a part in the 6 Nations.
As to the make up of the Ireland side it is also contains a lovely blend of youth and experience. Ireland's centre partnership of George D'Arcy and Keith Earls immediately catches my eye along with their imposing back row of Dominic Ryan, Sean
O'Brien and the uncapped but exciting Jack Conan. It is clear from the selection decisions that this game is deadly serious and is one that will be played at Test Match intensity. All in all it will be a superb precursor to the main tournament in a week's time and I cannot wait to see this dynamic and electric group of England players show their colours for their country. Let the rugby begin!!
Friday 30th January - Coverage Sky Sports 2 7.30pm
England Rugby; 15 Chris
Pennell (Worcester Warriors) 14
Chris Ashton (Saracens) 13 Elliot
Daly (Wasps) 12 Sam Burgess (Bath
Rugby) 11 Marland Yarde
(Harlequins) 10 Henry Slade
(Exeter Chiefs) 9 Lee Dickson,
captain (Northampton Saints) 1
Matt Mullan (Wasps) 2 Rob Webber
(Bath Rugby) 3 Henry Thomas (Bath
Rugby) 4 Matt Garvey (Bath Rugby) 5 James Gaskell (Wasps) 6 Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs) 7 Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby) 8 Thomas Waldrom (Exeter Chiefs) Replacements;
16 Luke Cowan Dickie (Exeter Chiefs) 17
Alex Waller (Northampton Saints) 18
Jake Cooper-Woolley (Wasps) 19
Maro Itoje (Saracens) 20 Carl
Fearns (Bath) 21 Joe Simpson
(Wasps) 22 Ollie Devoto (Bath
Rugby) 23 Christian Wade (Wasps)
Irish
Wolfhounds; 15 Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster) (capt) 14 Fergus McFadden (Old
Belvedere/Leinster) 13 Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)12 Gordon D'Arcy
(Lansdowne/Leinster)11 Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster) 10 Ian
Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster) 9 Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht) 1
Jack McGrath (St Mary's College/Leinster) 2 Richardt Strauss (Old
Wesley/Leinster) 3 Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster) 4 Iain Henderson
(Ballynahinch/Ulster) 5 Mike McCarthy (Leinster) 6 Dominic Ryan
(Lansdowne/Leinster) 7 Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster) 8 Jack Conan (Old
Belvedere/Leinster) Replacements: 16 Rob
Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 17 Michael Bent (Leinster) 18 Nathan White
(Galwegians/Connacht) 19 Robbie Diack
(Malone/Ulster) 20 Eoin McKeon (Corinthians/Connacht) 21 Isaac Boss (Terenure/Leinster) 22 Noel
Reid (Clontarf/Leinster) 23 Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster)
