Churchill Cup

England Saxons lose Churchill Cup final

England Saxons lost the Churchill Cup final 22-49 and their winning record as the trophy heads to Ireland.

The Saxons failed to retain the cup for a third successive year and suffered a six try defeat against a highly charged and physical Ireland A pack.

England scored two second half tries with Ben Woods and Tom Varndell going over, the rest of their points were from the boot of Stephen Myler, scoring three penalties.

Ireland A in contrast ran in two first half tries from Deven Toner and Isaac Boss and four second half tries from Sean Cronin, Felix Jones, Johne Murphy and John Muldoon with Jonathan Sexton adding a penalty, three conversions and a drop goal and Fergus McFadden sharing the kicking duties slotted two further conversions and a penalty.

Full match report

USA beat Georgia ("Eagles snap losing streak")

The USA Men’s National Rugby Team won its first test match of the season and snapped its six-game losing streak by beating Georgia 31-13 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City on Sunday.

The USA was playing for the Bowl (fifth place) in the Churchill Cup tournament and was looking to walk away with their first tournament victory since 2005. More importantly, by securing an 18-point margin of victory over the 15th-ranked Georgia squad, the 19th-ranked Eagles will definitely improve their international ranking.

Also significant is the fact that the USA gains a bit of confidence heading into the IRB Rugby World Cup Qualifier series against Canada in early July. Canada lost to the Argentina Jaguars in the third place match, 29-44.

Full report
General wrap

I have to say the best international rugby of late has been played in this tournament. With the 3 finals proving to a absolute cracker's full of entertainment and running expansive Rugby. Canada played very well to lose convincingly to an even more impressive Jaguara , Lreland a topped off a gem of a Year for the Irish rugby union and the Georgia vs USA was tighter than it should have been but nonetheless physical and entertaining.

It is a shame that we can't get those teams down here to play the S14 sides...they would be competitive matches, to say the least.

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Originally Posted by AndyS

It is a shame that we can't get those teams down here to play the S14 sides...they would be competitive matches, to say the least.

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I'd like to see some of the top under 20's teams play down here. That is an awesome comp as well. Some fantastic rugby played over the last few weeks that shows some great up and coming talent. Rugby is just getting better and better.

USA looked like a different team against Georgia... it's good to win one that counts!! If this version of the USA shows up, it might be a good match against Canada on Independence Day...

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Originally Posted by AndyS

It is a shame that we can't get those teams down here to play the S14 sides...they would be competitive matches, to say the least.

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It is not like they weren't available...

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Jaguars coming back to South Africa

Argentina's Jaguars are set to tour South Africa, according to a press release from the Unión Argentina de Rugby.

They are not the same Jaguars who toured South Africa in 1980, 1982 and 1984 which included players from other South American countries and Spain to disguise the fact that they were really the Pumas getting around the rugby boycott.

These Jaguars are a purely Argentinian selection at a level below the Pumas. They participated in the South American Championship and the Churchill Cup and played two matches against Namibia. They are a new institution.

The press release states that their tour will start on 26 July. and will play three matches.

Their itinerary is as follows:

1 August: Jaguars vs Western Cape University XV at Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
6 August: Jaguars vs All American Universities at Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
8 August: Jaguars vs South African Universities at Newlands.

The last match is a curtainraiser to the Tri-Nations match between South Africa and Australia.

At the Churchill Cup the Jaguars lost to England (28-20) but beat the USA (35-14) and Canada (44-29).

Against Namibia, the Jaguars won 62-7 and 19-7.

In the South American Championship, the Jaguars beat Chile (89-6) and Uruguay (33-9).
http://www.rugby365.com/news/1760120.htm

TC

The US team seemed a little more settled in the last game. From what I have witness Eddie O'Sullivan has used the Churchill Cup as a tune up series trying to see his best XV for the Qualifiers. Here's to hopefully a couple of very competitive and good Tests in the coming weeks.

P.S. According to the USARugby website the game will be broadcast on ESPN. Do you know if that is ESPN proper?

usually all usa rugby is on "espn classic" for no apparent reason - Thanks for your kind wishes!!