Revised Saxons squad for Wolfhounds game

The Saxons squad will have assembled near Exeter today ahead of Saturday's game against the Wolfhounds at Sandy Park, and the forthcoming game against Scotland A at Galashiels.

Trinder, Parling and Attwood are training with the Senior squad as injury cover, whilst Karl Dickson and Henry Thomas are injured.

Into the squad come prop Rupert Harden, lock Ed Slater, flanker Kearnan Myall, scrumhald Paul Hodgson and centre Matt Hopper.

This caps a fairly meteoric rise for 26 year old former Exeter youth player Matt Hopper - one season for Plymouth Albion after playing pretty much social rugby, followed by one at Pirates , saw him signed by Quins for this season, and injuries gave him the opportunity to impress in the first team.

Rupert Harden is also 26 years old and also from lower leagues, signed by Glaws from Tynedale, although brought through by the Newcastle Academy, and formerly represented England Counties.

The team will be announced on Thursday

Backs

Nick Abendanon (Bath Rugby)

Delon Armitage (London Irish)

Matt Banahan (Bath Rugby)

Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby)

Matt Hopper (Harlequins)

Paul Hodgson (London Irish)

Ryan Lamb (Northampton Saints)

Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)

Ugo Monye (Harlequins)

Billy Twelvetrees (Leicester Tigers)

Micky Young (Leicester Tigers)

Forwards

Chris Brooker (Harlequins)

Paul Doran-Jones (Northampton Saints)

Matt Garvey (London Irish)

James Gaskell (Sale Sharks)

Joe Gray (Harlequins)

Rupert Harden (Gloucester Rugby)

Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs)

Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors)

Kearnan Myall (Sale Sharks)

George Robson (Harlequins)

Andy Saull (Saracens)

Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers)

Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers)

Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby)

I would have preferred to have seen Luke Wallace selected ahead of Kearnan Myall, and Ben Spencer ahead of Paul Hodgson.

Is this game going to be on the TV?

So a team of;

Mullan, Gray, PDJ
Garvey, Robson
Johnson, Saull, Waldrom
Young, Burns
Twelvetrees, Hopper
May, Abendanon, Armitage

Bench; Brooker, Wood/Harden, Slater, Gaskell, Hodgson, Lamb, Banahan.

I really like the fact that Matt Hopper and Harden are involved, it MUST prove to the Premiership clubs that there are players in the Championship worth taking a gamble on.

Cumbrian wrote:I really like the fact that Matt Hopper and Harden are involved, it MUST prove to the Premiership clubs that there are players in the Championship worth taking a gamble on.

..and Tom Johnson, signed from Coventry and 3 years in the Championship/NL1 with Exeter before promotion to AP.



The Wolfhounds game is on Sky, 5.00 kick off

Really pleased for Slater. He has really improved this season, and is turning in a bruising enforcer. I think he is turning into an international class player. Likely to get a lot more game time next season with Skivs off to Irish. Him and Lawes could be brutal combo for England.

Pleased for Hopper too. What a life changer this year has been for him.

I'll be there! Really looking forward to this one, also it's a few days before me birthday so a few Otters will be sunk!

maverickmak wrote:Really pleased for Slater. He has really improved this season, and is turning in a bruising enforcer. I think he is turning into an international class player. Likely to get a lot more game time next season with Skivs off to Irish. Him and Lawes could be brutal combo for England.

Pleased for Hopper too. What a life changer this year has been for him.

I like the fact Slater has a decent rugby brain to go with his bulk. A lot of guys who take the enforcer role are happy to mindlessly lump the ball up. Slater seems to be able to do this when it is required, but has more strings to his bow. Not to mention a good turn of speed and decent hands. Could definitely see him getting a crack at international level, at 23 he has a lot of time on his side.

His run, step and pass that put Agulla away for his winner against Saints was really classy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCByhxqY96g&feature=relmfu

From 40 secs in

Considering Slater is 18ish stone he has a suprising turn of speed and very good hands. He was a backrow before signing for Tigers (a 6 but some Tigers fans seem to fancy him as an 8) so it's been the grunt work he's had to brush up on, Deacon seems to be teaching him well. Hopefully see him in the team more now as he does provide some weight to the forward pack.

Carpe Diem wrote:I'll be there! Really looking forward to this one, also it's a few days before me birthday so a few Otters will be sunk!

I went down to Otter Nurseries with my Mrs the other week. The sign promised Otters but there were none... I'm going to write a letter.

Really please for Slater as well, he's come on very well recently and could add much needed weight to this country's waning front five power!

A SR of : 4. Slater 5. Garvey would be pretty hefty! But Garvey and Robson would blend well I think.

Is any one else not impressed with Robsons size of Physicality for a second row....

Agreed Geordie, but show me a SR that's a lineout specialist but has the size of an 'enforcer'. Robson needs to improve his carrying and attitude going into contact, but you need that lineout prowess and it doesn't always come with the more physical side. Even POC isn't as physical as some SR out there.

I frickin told you all Hopper would be called up!!

hahahaha



Sorry, not sure what happened there... Pleased with that squad selection, it'll be great to see combinations of Garvey/Slater and Burns/36/Hopper. Both those look like they could be future England first team lineups.

Sam I like all of that team except Armitage, i'd prefer an out and out winger there.

Chjw131 wrote:Agreed Geordie, but show me a SR that's a lineout specialist but has the size of an 'enforcer'. Robson needs to improve his carrying and attitude going into contact, but you need that lineout prowess and it doesn't always come with the more physical side. Even POC isn't as physical as some SR out there.

He's quite Borthwick like, which is fine for club but not sure about country. The thing is sometimes he can be massively physical like in the wins over Toulouse and Munster, but on the back foot he doesn't have an impact like Kohn or other big lumps do, but then that's not really his job.

Sam I like all of that team except Armitage, i'd prefer an out and out winger there..

11.May, 14. Abendanon, 15. Armitage.

Why not Monye?

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Sam I like all of that team except Armitage, i'd prefer an out and out winger there..

11.May, 14. Abendanon, 15. Armitage.

You would prefer an out and out winger there, so have picked a full back on the wing? Que? :shock:

I'm not a fan I'm afraid, lots of pace and a bit of power but he reminds me of a description someone once gave me of a greyhound "strength or a horse but the mind of a toddler", okay he clearly hasn't got the brain of a child but you know what I mean. I like to see some thinking players and Moyne doesn't have that eye for a gap nor the awareness of the pitch that Delon, May or Abendanon does. He's as fast, stronger and arguably a better defender but just the little things give him away, prime example being his tendancy to carry the ball in the wrong hand.

You would prefer an out and out winger there, so have picked a full back on the wing? Que?

Abendanon is an intelligent runner and with Burns and Twelvetrees likely to be at 10 and 12 the options to bring him into the game at pace will be handy ditto May. It'll be easier for Armitage to back himself and go for a run knowing there's a practised full back able to provide sweeper style coverage if required. In fact with May they'll be two. It will also prove difficult for the Irish Wolfhounds to kick too much as between that back three they will be punished for anything that doesn't find touch.

Think Bendy is wasted on the wing mate, he is best attacking from deep and actually a great covering tackler. There is less space on the wing for him.

I must say, it's really nice of the RFU to bring all these good players down to Sandy Park at contract negotiation time - Hopper only signed a one year contract, didn't he?

formerly known as Sam wrote:So a team of;

Mullan, Gray, PDJ
Garvey, Robson
Johnson, Saull, Waldrom
Young, Burns
Twelvetrees, Hopper
May, Abendanon, Armitage

Bench; Brooker, Wood/Harden, Slater, Gaskell, Hodgson, Lamb, Banahan.

I'd go with:

Mullan, Gray, PDJ
Garvey, Slater
Gaskell, Saull, Waldrom
Young, Burns
Twelvetrees, Hopper
Abendanon, May, Armitage

Wood may start in front of Mullan in relaity. I'm really pleased to see Harden there - he's developing very nicely at TH. I kinda feel Waldrom's moment may have passed, but there's no alternative in the squad. The second row is weighty enough we can bring in Gaskell for his line-out, running and destruction of mauls. I'd have May at FB because his hands are wasted on the wing (this is a man whose done a great job at IC in the AP before). Abendanon will never play FB for England given the level of competition, but I can imagine him playing left-wing.

Alternatively bring in Banahan on one wing and play May at OC with Armitage back to FB.

Has Wood been in some really poor form recently or is it the rest of his pack or both? He's been yellow carded two games on the trot for scrum infringements which doesn't bode well!

Anyone think a good performance by any of the front 5 particularly Garvey or Mullan and a poor performance by their 1st XV counterparts might result in a swap?

I certainly wouldn't rule out further additions to the senior training squad Geordie especially at hooker, loosehead and lock.

PS

Rupert Harden is also 26 years old and also from lower leagues, signed by Glaws from Tynedale, although brought through by the Newcastle Academy, and formerly represented England Counties.

Just add him to the list.... Surprised Leicester didnt go for him Sam...

luke wallace and miles benjimen should of been in squad

DaveM wrote:
I'd go with:

Mullan, Gray, PDJ
Garvey, Slater
Gaskell, Saull, Waldrom
Young, Burns
Twelvetrees, Hopper
Abendanon, May, Armitage

Alternatively bring in Banahan on one wing and play May at OC with Armitage back to FB.

And what actually happened was:

15 Delon Armitage (London Irish)
14 Ugo Monye (Harlequins)
13 Matt Hopper (Harlequins)
12 Billy Twelvetrees (Leicester Tigers)
11 Matt Banahan (Bath Rugby)
10 Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby)
9 Ben Spencer (Saracens)

1 Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors)
2 Joe Gray (Harlequins)
3 Paul Doran-Jones (Northampton Saints)
4 Matt Garvey (London Irish)
5 George Robson (Harlequins)
6 James Gaskell (Sale Sharks, captain)
7 Andy Saull (Saracens)
8 Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers)

Replacements: 16 Chris Brooker (Harlequins), 17 Rupert Harden (Gloucester), 18 Kearnan Myall (Sale Sharks), 19 Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), 20 Paul Hodgson (London Irish), 21 Ryan Lamb (Northampton Saints), 22 Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)

I'm surprised May isn't starting given he's the most exiciting young back in English rugby at present and there's a lack of searing pace out wide. Still, not a bad side.

Nah Geordie we didn't see the point, Glaws would only have added 50% to the wage we offered and guarenteed him some first team action or Falcons would have broken him the minute he came off the bench against them.

Still not convinced by Gaskell as a top flight player let alone captain of the Saxons. With Robson in there do we really need him? Slater might feel a tad unfortunate to lose out on a bench spot to Myall as well.

4-7 only has one player with serious bulk, so I think there is a risk there. Myall is also more a mobile type forward so I agree Slater would have been a reassuring presence.

Waldrom is going to have a huge amount of work to do carrying the ball for the other forwards.

Garvey and Waldrom are both big and quick ball carriers so it looks like they are going to be carrying a lot, luckily for them the front rowers are all mobile. Robson may have to step up and do a job be cause the flankers won't be able to. Those Irish fans that love to criticise Croft are going to have a field day with Gaskell.

DaveM wrote:

DaveM wrote:
I'd go with:

Mullan, Gray, PDJ
Garvey, Slater
Gaskell, Saull, Waldrom
Young, Burns
Twelvetrees, Hopper
Abendanon, May, Armitage

Alternatively bring in Banahan on one wing and play May at OC with Armitage back to FB.

And what actually happened was:

15 Delon Armitage (London Irish)
14 Ugo Monye (Harlequins)
13 Matt Hopper (Harlequins)
12 Billy Twelvetrees (Leicester Tigers)
11 Matt Banahan (Bath Rugby)
10 Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby)
9 Ben Spencer (Saracens)

1 Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors)
2 Joe Gray (Harlequins)
3 Paul Doran-Jones (Northampton Saints)
4 Matt Garvey (London Irish)
5 George Robson (Harlequins)
6 James Gaskell (Sale Sharks, captain)
7 Andy Saull (Saracens)
8 Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers)

Replacements: 16 Chris Brooker (Harlequins), 17 Rupert Harden (Gloucester), 18 Kearnan Myall (Sale Sharks), 19 Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), 20 Paul Hodgson (London Irish), 21 Ryan Lamb (Northampton Saints), 22 Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)

I'm surprised May isn't starting given he's the most exiciting young back in English rugby at present and there's a lack of searing pace out wide. Still, not a bad side.

Their might be more experience in the England backs in this side than the senior one!

Who is the Saxons new coach btw? And is he only a caretaker till Lancaster comes back if he does?

yappysnap wrote:Who is the Saxons new coach btw? And is he only a caretaker till Lancaster comes back if he does?

Jon Callard is the coach, couldn't tell you if he's caretaker or not, i expect we'll find out soon enough...

Yes, the back 3 are a pretty experienced trio.

Given how dominant Irish backrows have been against English ones recently I do think we've missed a trick by not starting one of Johnson at 6 or Slater alongside Garvey. Still, this is a good test of Robson and Gaskell's international credentials.