England 30-Man Squad for South Africa

[Burgs]

England names squad for South Africa

From correspondents in London
May 01, 2007

ENGLAND coach Brian Ashton hopes a mixture of youth and experience will give his squad the edge when its faces South Africa in what he predicts will be a tough two-Test tour of the Republic.

Ashton has announced a 30-man squad to be captained by Jason Robinson for Tests against the Springboks in Bloemfontein on May 26 and Pretoria on June 2.

Seven uncapped players in props Nick Wood (Gloucester) and Darren Crompton (Bristol Rugby), back rower Peter Buxton (Gloucester), locks Roy Winters (Bristol) and Dean Schofield (Sale Sharks), hooker Matt Cairns (Saracens) and full-back Mike Brown (NEC Harlequins), will fill out Ashton's squad.

"If you look at some of the experienced characters as well as some of the younger players who have recently appeared on the international scene, it's an interesting mixture," Ashton said of his squad.

"It's going to be an enormous challenge for these players.

"We are under no illusions.

"It is going to be an incredibly tough two-and-a-half weeks but I don't expect any of the players or management to back down from that challenge."

Ashton said Robinson's recent return to form in the Six Nations made him the obvious choice to captain England, and the skipper is delighted to be wearing the armband again.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my previous spell as captain and am looking forward to the trip as I have never played (in South Africa) before," Robinson said.

Robinson is joined by fellow 2003 Rugby World Cup winners Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle Falcons), Mark Regan (Bristol), Andy Gomarsall (NEC Harlequins) and Ben Cohen (Northampton Saints).

Players from London Wasps, Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby were not considered because of their participation in European finals on May 19 and 20.

Perpignan prop Perry Freshwater was not considered because of club commitments, while eight more players were unavailable through injury.

The players not considered because of injury are Mike Catt (London Irish), Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks), James Forrester (Gloucester), Charlie Hodgson (Sale Sharks), Olly Morgan (Gloucester), Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks), Mike Tindall (Gloucester), Dan Ward-Smith (Bristol Rugby).

Agence France-Presse

Forwards:

Alex Brown (Gloucester), Peter Buxton (Gloucester), Matt Cairns (Saracens), Darren Crompton (Bristol), Nick Easter (NEC Harlequins), Andy Hazell (Gloucester), Chris Jones (Sale Sharks), Magnus Lund (Sale Sharks), Mark Regan (Bristol), Pat Sanderson (Worcester Warriors), Dean Schofield (Sale Sharks), Andy Titterrell (Sale Sharks), Stuart Turner (Sale Sharks), Roy Winters (Bristol), Nick Wood (Gloucester), Kevin Yates (Saracens).

Backs:

Anthony Allen (Gloucester), Mike Brown (NEC Harlequins), Ben Cohen (Northampton Saints), Andy Farrell (Saracens), Toby Flood (Newcastle Falcons), Andy Gomarsall (NEC Harlequins), Jamie Noon (Newcastle Falcons), Shaun Perry (Bristol Rugby), Jason Robinson (Sale Sharks, captain), Peter Richards (Gloucester Rugby), James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), David Strettle (NEC Harlequins), Mathew Tait (Newcastle Falcons), Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle Falcons).

[The EnForcer]

Obviously I wish them no luck and I'll have to go buy a SA top but it will be interseting to see how they get on.

[prop53]

they will need to field all 30 in the one test to stand a chance

[Burgs]

Balshaw called into England rugby squad

Wednesday May 9 00:30 AEST

Back Iain Balshaw has been called up as a replacement for Ben Cohen in the England squad for the two-test tour of South Africa.

"Iain was pretty close to being selected in the first place," England head coach Brian Ashton said in a statement on Tuesday.

"He has a lot of international experience and can cover wing and fullback so he is a good back three position replacement for Ben."

England face South Africa in Bloemfontein on May 26 and in Pretoria on June 2.

Cohen withdrew from the squad and made himself unavailable for September's World Cup last week, citing family reasons. The 2003 World Cup winner's wife is expecting twins later in the year.