‘Great opportunity’ for Tigers stars to shine on international stage
ENGLAND TO FACE SCOTLAND A AT WELFORD ROAD
EDDIE Jones says the players in his young England squad have a “great opportunity” to show their potential this summer, starting with the game against Scotland A at Leicester Tigers’ Mattioli Woods Welford Road stadium on Sunday (2pm).
With some seniors away on duty with the British and Irish Lions and others taking time off from a hectic calendar, coach Jones selected 21 uncapped players as the squad began the build-up to the three summer fixtures.
“Our approach this week is that it is a Test match,” said Jones, pictured, as the squad prepared at its London base ahead of the fixture in Leicester.
“It is a great opportunity for these young players.
“We really emphasise to do everything you can to maximise your potential and what can you do to become a better player.”
Jones, who said competition among the players was “amazing”, has included six Tigers players in the group for the start of the summer series, led by Ellis Genge who has 28 senior caps and is the most experienced international in the squad.
He is joined by the uncapped Joe Heyes, Freddie Steward, Dan Kelly and Harry Wells plus George Martin who won a first Test cap during this season’s Six Nations.
After Sunday, the squad will be revised again with the addition of players from the Gallagher Premiership Final clubs ahead of Tests against the USA and Canada at Twickenham.
Scotland A defence coach Pete Murchie insists the absence of caps on offer will take none of the spice out of this weekend’s Scotclash with England.
With Gregor Townsend and eight of the Scots’ top stars away on British and Irish Lions duty, Mike Blair and assistants Murchie, John Dalziel and Pieter De
Villiers have taken charge of a 37-man squad that will face the Auld Enemy’s second string.
However, Test honours will not be dispensed to those who take the field in Leicester as the game does not rank as a full international match.
Caps, though, will be dished out to the men who make the cut and join a 29-strong squad heading for Romania and Georgia next month after the double header in eastern Europe was granted Test status.
So Murchie expects to see a full-throttle approach against the
Red Roses’ reserves.
“We’re treating it like a Test week in terms of our build-up,” said the former Glasgow fullback.
“It’s been a long time since the A side had a fixture, so it’s great to have these fixtures back and obviously a game against England is always a big occasion.
“So the fact that we’ve
got
this game is brilliant. It’s a really meaningful fixture for us.
“I think when you’re playing against England you don’t have to worry about (winning caps). “The guys are really motivated for this game.
“It’s an opportunity to put on the Thistle, and whenever you
do that it’s an honour.” Meanwhile, Tigers duo Jack Van Poortvliet and Emeka Ilione will start in England’s second Six Nations Under-20s fixture against Scotland this afternoon (4pm).
Van Poortvliet, who was Man of the Match in England’s opener against France, will captain the side at scrumhalf.
Ilione has been rewarded with a starting place after coming off the bench in the comefrom-behind win over France.