The squad, made up of players from National Leagues One and Two, includes five players who played in the fixture last year at Preston Grasshoppers, when England won by a record 34-16 scoreline.
Blackheath's Dave Allen, Blaydon's Matt Hall and Robbie Kalbraier, and Ealing's Sam Shires are included in the pack, while last season's man of the match, full-back Peter Hodgkinson of Ealing, is the only back to survive from the Preston fixture.
Since the fixture was created in 2007, Ireland remain unbeaten on home soil, a situation that England Counties team manager Michael Old wants to change. He spoke about the selection process when the squad was announced today: "Selection was very tough this season because of the quality of players throughout the leagues. We are very pleased with the squad, it looks strong in all areas with plenty of power and pace which we need to take on the Irish, as well as a great mix of experience.
“Owing to the demand that the league schedule places on clubs and players, with the agreement and support of all clubs we have limited selection to two players per club for the 22 man squad. Whilst this has without doubt been unfortunate on a few players, it has given the opportunity to others who deserve the recognition of their talent and form this season.”
England Counties Squad to play Ireland Club XV in the Ulster Bank International:
Forwards:
Dave Allen*^ (Blackheath) - the flanker has scored a remarkable 11 tries this season including four in the 35-18 victory over Cambridge in October. He has been an ever-present for his side this season, and has played for Wasps and Ulster.
Tom Fidler (Cambridge) - An ever present in the front row for struggling Cambridge, Fidler's performances have earned him the call-up to represent his country for the first time. He returned to Cambridge in the summer, after leaving for Ealing in February 2011 when the side announced their financial troubles. Starting out at Dings Crusaders in National League South Division 3, he has worked his way up the leagues via Newbury and Birmingham Solihull.
Mark George (Stourbridge) - The tight-head prop has played in every Saxons game this season, including two appearances off the bench, as the club now appear to be on the way to regaining their National League One place after relegation last season. He has experience at London Irish and Rotherham Titans.Matt Hall*^ (Blaydon) - The 30-year-old hooker and head coach is now in his tenth season at Blaydon, where he is an ever-present this season. Hall played against Ireland Club XV at Preston last season.
James Inglis (Esher) - The lock began his career at Harlequins, making one appearance in their season spent in National One (2005/06). He spent one season at Cornish Pirates before signing for Esher in 2008.Billy Johnson* (Old Albanian) - After starting at Hertford in London One, Johnson earned a contract with Championship Bedford Blues in 2011. Used sparingly at the Blues, he signed for OA's in the summer, where he has played in every match during their inaugural year at National One level.
Robbie Kalbraier*^ (Blaydon) - In his fifth season at Blaydon, Kalbraier also played against Ireland Club XV last season alongside his team-mate Matt Hall. He signed in 2008, from Darlington Mowden Park.
Alex Loney (Fylde) - The prop is now in his second season at Fylde, who he joined from Rotherham Titans. He began his career at Nottingham.
Sam Shires*^ (Ealing) - Shires has scored seven tries in his first season at Ealing. He joined the Trailfinders in 2012, moving south after two seasons at Tynedale.
Ollie Stedman (Tynedale) - Eight tries from the back row is the impressive haul from this ever-present. Stedman replaced Sam Shires at number eight, signing from Westoe. He is an England Under 20 international, with two appearances in the 2011 U20 Six Nations.
Will Warden (Richmond) - The lock is in his second season at Richmond, playing a major role in their promotion season last term. He signed from Loughborough Students, wherre he played for four seasons.
Ben West (Cinderford) - The second row forward has put in some impressive performances in this, his second season at Cinderford, where he moved from National One South outfit Newbury.
Backs:
Jack Adams (Cinderford) - Outside centre Adams is in his first season with Cinderford. Starting his career at Gloucester, he made his debut as a replacement against Sale Sharks in September 2005. After only two replacement appearances that 2005/06 season, he made 12 Premiership appearances the following season, and scored a try in their Heineken Cup defeat at Leinster.
Lewis Barker (Coventry) - Scrum-half Barker is in his second season at Coventry, after a two year spell at the now-defunct Rugby Lions. He made his debut for Loughborough Students in 2007.
Scott Barrow (Fylde) - A former Super League player with St Helens, Barrow joined Fylde in 2012 from Leeds Carnegie. The 32-year-old centre started his union career at Worcester, signing from the Saints, before moving to Orrell and then Glasgow Warriors.
Nev Edwards (Rosslyn Park) - Currently the top try scorer in National One with 12 in 13 appearances, Edwards is in his third season at Park. He began his career at Ealing, signing for Esher after two seasons at the Trailfinders.
Chris Elder (Esher) - In his debut season at Esher, the young full-back played for Henley Hawks previously. He represented England Under 18s in 2009/10.
Matt Heeks (Rosslyn Park) - Heeks signed in the summer from London Scottish, where he spent two spells with a season at Barking in 2010/11. He has represented Scotland Under 20s with two appearances in the 2008 U20 Six Nations.
Peter Hodgkinson*^ (Ealing) - Now in his sixth season at Ealing, full-back Hodgkinson has scored seven tries this term. He also played against Ireland Club XV last season, putting in a man of the match performance.
Will Hurrell (Stourbridge) - Inside centre Hurrell has scored eight tries this season in National Two North, having played regularly for London Welsh in their promotion season last year. He has also played at Nottingham, Coventry and Doncaster Knights, and represented England Under 20s in the 2010 U20 Six Nations.
Ollie Marchon (Old Albanian) - A product of the Saracens academy, Marchon made his England Sevens debut in Dubai last month. He is in his second season at Old Albanians, playing a major part in their rise to National One.
Rory Teague* (Blackheath) - Fly-half Teague began his career at Gloucester in 2003, signing for Bristol after two seasons. Whilst there, he gained his first team experience on loan at Stourbridge, before moving to Lydney. He signed for Blackheath in 2012, after a season at West Country side Cinderford.
*Previous ECXV Cap (7 players)
^played v Ireland at Preston 2012 (5 players)
England Counties Spring International Fixtures:
England Counties v Ireland Club XV (Friday 8 February) Cork, Ireland
England Counties v France Amateurs (Friday 22 February) Ealing RFC
No comments:
Post a Comment