Miscelaneous Summer Tour Internationals

CIARAN_BOYLE

The sqyads for the Wales Probables vs Possibles trial game has been named. Although some players might not be released.


Probables: Liam Williams (Scarlets), H Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), G North (Northampton), A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), G Henson (Bath), J Roberts (Racing Metro), J Davies (Scarlets), S Davies (Ospreys), D Biggar (Ospreys), M Phillips (Racing Metro), R Williams (Scarlets), Forwards: G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), O Evans (Newport Gwent Dragons), R Gill (Saracens), A Jones (Ospreys), S Lee (Scarlets), K Owens (Scarlets), S Baldwin (Ospreys), A-W Jones (Ospreys, capt), L Charteris (Perpignan), J Ball (Scarlets), R Jones (Bristol), A Shingler (Scarlets), J Navidi (Cardiff Blues), D Lydiate (Racing Metro), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Possibles: J Williams (Scarlets), T Prydie (Newport Gwent Dragons), H Robinson (Cardiff Blues), J Spratt (Ospreys), C Allen (Cardiff Blues), S Shingler (Scarlets), O Williams (Leicester), M Morgan (Ospreys), J Hook (Perpignan), G Davies (Scarlets), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), P James (Bath), P Price (Newport Gwent Dragons), R Evans (Scarlets), R Jones (Scarlets), S Andrews (Cardiff Blues), A Jarvis (Ospreys), M Rees (Cardiff Blues, capt), K Dacey (Cardiff Blues), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), A Coombs (Newport Gwent Dragons), I Evans (Ospreys), M Cook (Cardiff Blues), J Turnbull (Scarlets), J Davies (Scarlets), D Baker (Ospreys).

thomond2006

Italy:

Forwards:
Matias Aguero, Dario Chistolini, Lorenzo Cittadini, Alberto de Marchi, Andrea de Marchi, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Davide Giazzon, Andrea Manici, George Biagi, Marco Bortolami, Marco Fuser, Quintin Geldenhuys (c), Robert Barbieri, Mauro Bergamasco, Paul Derbyshire, Joshua Furno, Manoa Vosawai.

Backs:
Guglielmo Palazzani, Tito Tebaldi, Tommaso Allan, Luciano Orquera, Michele Campagnaro, Angelo Esposito, Gonzalo Garcia, Tommaso Iannone, Andrea Masi, Luke McLean, Leonardo Sarto, Alberto Sgarbi, Giovambattista Venditti

Italy's squad to play Fiji (June 7), Samoa (June 14) and Japan (June 21). Parisse is injured and Castrogiovanni has been rested which is a bit surprising considering he hasn't played a lot of rugby in his first season with Toulon.

GavMan

Nick Mallet coaching a World XV vs. Springboks this June

http://www.thescore.ie/springboks-world-xv-south-africa-1404857-Apr2014/

WORLD XV SQUAD

Backs: James O'Connor (London Irish, Australia - 44 Test caps), Drew Mitchell (Toulon, Australia - 63), Hosea Gear (Toulouse, New Zealand - 14), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Clermont, New Zealand - 45), Aurelien Rougerie (Clermont, France - 71), Rene Ranger (Montpelier, New Zealand - 6), Matt Giteau (Toulon, Australia - 92), Francois Trinh-Duc (Montpelier, France - 48), Rory Kockott (Castres, South Africa - uncapped), Jimmy Cowan (Gloucester, New Zealand - 51).

Forwards: Steffon Armitage (Toulon, England - 5 Test caps), Alexandre Lapandry (Clermont, France - 6), Roger Wilson (Ulster, Ireland - 1), Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier, Georgia - 51), Alistair Hargreaves (Saracens, South Africa - 4), Joe Tekori (Toulouse, Samoa - 26), Juandre Kruger (Racing Metro, South Africa - 17), Schalk Brits (Saracens, South Africa - 5), Andrew Hore (New Zealand - 83), Schalk Ferreira (Toulouse, South Africa - uncapped), Sona Taumololo (Perpignan, Tonga - 5), BJ Botha (Munster, South Africa - 25), Carl Hayman (Toulon, New Zealand - 45).

CIARAN_BOYLE

GavMan wrote: »

Nick Mallet coaching a World XV vs. Springboks this June

http://www.thescore.ie/springboks-world-xv-south-africa-1404857-Apr2014/

WORLD XV SQUAD

Backs: James O'Connor (London Irish, Australia - 44 Test caps), Drew Mitchell (Toulon, Australia - 63), Hosea Gear (Toulouse, New Zealand - 14), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Clermont, New Zealand - 45), Aurelien Rougerie (Clermont, France - 71), Rene Ranger (Montpelier, New Zealand - 6), Matt Giteau (Toulon, Australia - 92), Francois Trinh-Duc (Montpelier, France - 48), Rory Kockott (Castres, South Africa - uncapped), Jimmy Cowan (Gloucester, New Zealand - 51).

Forwards: Steffon Armitage (Toulon, England - 5 Test caps), Alexandre Lapandry (Clermont, France - 6), Roger Wilson (Ulster, Ireland - 1), Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier, Georgia - 51), Alistair Hargreaves (Saracens, South Africa - 4), Joe Tekori (Toulouse, Samoa - 26), Juandre Kruger (Racing Metro, South Africa - 17), Schalk Brits (Saracens, South Africa - 5), Andrew Hore (New Zealand - 83), Schalk Ferreira (Toulouse, South Africa - uncapped), Sona Taumololo (Perpignan, Tonga - 5), BJ Botha (Munster, South Africa - 25), Carl Hayman (Toulon, New Zealand - 45).

Some achievement for Roger Wilson. Not sure how it came up but well done to him.

thomond2006

What I don't understand is why they don't call it a Barbarians team instead of a 'World XV'.

Taumalolo, Brits, Hayman, Kruger, Tekori, Gorgodze, Lapandry, Armitage;
Kockott, Trinh-Duc, Gear, Giteau, Rougerie, Mitchell, O'Connor

Hore, Ferreira, Botha, Hargreaves, Wilson, Cowan, Ranger, Sivivatu

Awesome team on paper! 6 of them will be at Toulon next year.

Zzippy

thomond2006 wrote: »

What I don't understand is why they don't call it a Barbarians team instead of a 'World XV'.

Taumalolo, Brits, Hayman, Kruger, Tekori, Gorgodze, Lapandry, Armitage;
Kockott, Trinh-Duc, Gear, Giteau, Rougerie, Mitchell, O'Connor

Hore, Ferreira, Botha, Hargreaves, Wilson, Cowan, Ranger, Sivivatu

Awesome team on paper! 6 of them will be at Toulon next year.

Wouldn't that have to be organised by the Barbarians club though? I'm sure there would be some trademark/copyright infringement if they called themselves the Barbarians without approval, and I'm sure, a hefty fee...

Losty Dublin

thomond2006 wrote: »

What I don't understand is why they don't call it a Barbarians team instead of a 'World XV'.

Taumalolo, Brits, Hayman, Kruger, Tekori, Gorgodze, Lapandry, Armitage;
Kockott, Trinh-Duc, Gear, Giteau, Rougerie, Mitchell, O'Connor

Hore, Ferreira, Botha, Hargreaves, Wilson, Cowan, Ranger, Sivivatu

Awesome team on paper! 6 of them will be at Toulon next year.

Maybe they didn't pay the Ba-Ba's their asking price?

thomond2006

True enough, points taken!

Kiwi_knock

Australia have named their 32 man squad for the tests against France. No unexpected inclusions or any notable exclusions.

Props: Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Scott Sio (Brumbies), James Slipper (Reds), Pek Cowan (Force), Sekope Kepu (Waratahs).

Hookers: Nathan Charles (Force), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), Stephen Moore (Brumbies).

Locks: James Horwill (Reds) Rob Simmons (Reds), Luke Jones (Rebels), Sam Carter (Brumbies), Will Skelton (Waratahs).

Backrowers: Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Scott Higginbotham (Rebels), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), Ben McCalman (Force), Matt Hodgson (Force), Scott Fardy (Brumbies).

Scrum-Halves: Will Genia (Reds), Nic White (Brumbies), Nick Phipps (Waratahs).

Out-Halves: Matt Toomua (Brumbies), Bernard Foley (Waratahs)

Centres: Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), Pat McCabe (Brumbies), Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies), Kurtley Beale (Waratahs).

Back 3: Israel Folau (Waratahs), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), Rob Horne (Waratahs), Nick Cummins (Force).

razorblunt

Good to see Hodgson get a go, he's been excellent whenever I saw him for the Force (tended to be able to catch their games more than others).

Swiwi.

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

Australia have named their 32 man squad for the tests against France. No unexpected inclusions or any notable exclusions.

Props: Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Scott Sio (Brumbies), James Slipper (Reds), Pek Cowan (Force), Sekope Kepu (Waratahs).

Hookers: Nathan Charles (Force), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), Stephen Moore (Brumbies).

Locks: James Horwill (Reds) Rob Simmons (Reds), Luke Jones (Rebels), Sam Carter (Brumbies), Will Skelton (Waratahs).

Backrowers: Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Scott Higginbotham (Rebels), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), Ben McCalman (Force), Matt Hodgson (Force), Scott Fardy (Brumbies).

Scrum-Halves: Will Genia (Reds), Nic White (Brumbies), Nick Phipps (Waratahs).

Out-Halves: Matt Toomua (Brumbies), Bernard Foley (Waratahs)

Centres: Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), Pat McCabe (Brumbies), Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies), Kurtley Beale (Waratahs).

Back 3: Israel Folau (Waratahs), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), Rob Horne (Waratahs), Nick Cummins (Force).

What's the deal with Henry Speight? Still not eligible? Also Liam Gill misses out I suppose.

Kiwi_knock

Swiwi. wrote: »

What's the deal with Henry Speight? Still not eligible? Also Liam Gill misses out I suppose.

Speight is not eligible till November, but he is part of the tackle-bag team so they will be getting him up to speed. Gill is a victim of the Reds poor form and the rise of the Force. It would have been hard not to pick Hodgson after his performances this year.

Swiwi.

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

Speight is not eligible till November, but he is part of the tackle-bag team so they will be getting him up to speed. Gill is a victim of the Reds poor form and the rise of the Force. It would have been hard not to pick Hodgson after his performances this year.

In any case, the potentially best Aussie squad in a long while. I see the likes of Benn Robinson, the Faingas etc have finally been dropped. And yet another Kiwi will pull on the Green and Gold if big Will gets a run-on

If you could choose any ex-pat Aussies, would any make that squad? Maybe Giteau? Can't think of too many other quality players in Europe who would command an Aussie jumper. Don't think yer man the winger has done much at Stade Francais, has he?

Kiwi_knock

Giteau would be the only overseas player that would be guaranteed a spot in that squad.

It is a pretty good squad. A lot of the no hopers have disappeared like the ones you mentioned along with Tapuai and Mike Harris.
I suppose the big question is whether he goes with the Brumbies backline or with the Waratahs backline. I have a feeling he will go with the Brumbies backline so we will see White, Toomua, Cummins, Lealiifano, Kuridani, Ashley-Cooper, and Folau.

Swiwi.

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

Giteau would be the only overseas player that would be guaranteed a spot in that squad.

It is a pretty good squad. A lot of the no hopers have disappeared like the ones you mentioned along with Tapuai and Mike Harris.
I suppose the big question is whether he goes with the Brumbies backline or with the Waratahs backline. I have a feeling he will go with the Brumbies backline so we will see White, Toomua, Cummins, Lealiifano, Kuridani, Ashley-Cooper, and Folau.

I'd have Beale at 12 (although apparently he has been picked at 10) but otherwise the same. I guess if JOC was around and not being a prima donna he might be in the mix too. Swap Speight for AAC and that is a very decent back line, although Aussie really need genia to find form, white is very average.

Kiwi_knock

Swiwi. wrote: »

I'd have Beale at 12 (although apparently he has been picked at 10) but otherwise the same. I guess if JOC was around and not being a prima donna he might be in the mix too. Swap Speight for AAC and that is a very decent back line, although Aussie really need genia to find form, white is very average.

If I was picking the team I would have Beale at 10. Have Genia at 9 and then Toomua at 12. Would be harsh for AAC to be dropped for Speight, as he is Mr Dependable but he would be a great option off the bench.

If you were JOC you would have to wonder where you could fit into that squad if you come back, when there is still Speight and Cooper to come into it.

matthew8

I don't buy that the entire Reds team (except Slipper who's been very good) have suddenly turned into bad players. I think Genia will start and McKenzie will get the best out of the Reds in the squad. They are extremely spoilt for choice in the centre. Kuridrani is a big threat at 13, but 12 is an incredibly tough choice. McCabe and Beale are both top players, but Lealiifano might start for his kicking. The choice would be even tougher if Cooper was healthy and Toomua was an option at 12.

As far as ex-pats go, Giteau is a star at the best rugby club in the world, he'd be a shoo-in for the squad, JOC is a good player in a position of need, Digby Ioane is harder to figure out with his lack of game time but he's found it hard to break into the side with quality players in front of him. Salesi Ma'afu has performed well at Northampton and would be a possibility for the squad too.

former legend

Updated Barbarians squad for game against England on Sunday:

Backs: Jimmy Cowan (Gloucester & New Zealand), Tomas Cubelli (Belgrano & Argentina), Hosea Gear (Toulouse & New Zealand), Juan Martin Hernandez (Racing Metro & Argentina), Brock James (Clermont), James O'Connor (London Irish & Australia), Rene Ranger (Montpellier & New Zealand), Joe Rokocoko (Bayonne & New Zealand), Benson Stanley (Clermont & New Zealand), Francois Trinh-Duc (Montpellier & France).

Forwards: Julien Brugnaut (Racing Metro & France), Schalk Ferreira (Toulouse), Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier & Georgia), Andrew Hore (Highlanders & New Zealand), Juandre Kruger (Racing Metro & South Africa), Alexandre Lapandry (Clermont & France), Juan Manuel Leguizamon (Lyon & Argentina), Nahuel Lobo (Montpellier & Argentina), Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster & Ireland), Ti'i Paulo (Clermont & Samoa), Sona Taumalolo (Perpignan & Tonga), Joe Tekori (Toulouse & Samoa), Roger Wilson (Ulster & Ireland), Davit Zirakashvili (Clermont & Georgia).

The bones of a very good team there.

CatFromHue

Eng squad to go to NZ but will be added to after the Aviva Final:

Prop: Joe Marler (Harlequins), Matt Mullan (London Wasps), Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons), Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks), David Wilson (Bath)

Hooker: Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Gray (Harlequins), Dave Ward (Harlequins), Rob Webber (Bath)

Locks: Dave Attwood (Bath), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers), Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers)

Back Row: James Haskell (London Wasps), Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester), Ben Morgan (Gloucester), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)

Scrum-halves: Danny Care (Harlequins), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Fly-halves: Freddie Burns (Gloucester), Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks)

Centres: Kyle Eastmond (Bath), Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Henry Trinder (Gloucester), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester)

Back-three: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Jonny May (Gloucester), Chris Pennell (Worcester Warriors), Marland Yarde (London Irish)

They'll fly out tomorrow and there's a separate squad for the BaaBaa's game.

They've a weak/inexperienced enough pack but with Tuilagi back that could shape up there back play alot.

.ak

Is Burrell injured?

How come no Farrell?

Hagz

Saints and Sarries in the AP final. They'll join up afterwards.

gosullivan89

.ak wrote: »

Is Burrell injured?

How come no Farrell?

Sarries players will be added after the final.

No idea about burrell

molloyjh

thomond2006 wrote: »

What I don't understand is why they don't call it a Barbarians team.....6 of them will be at Toulon next year.

CatFromHue

Hartley may travel but defo won't be there for the first test.

Mako Vunipola is injury doubt but he won't be there for the first test either.

Lawes and Wood would certainly beef up the pack.

Not sure what the story is with Farrel but Barritt, Ashton, and maybe Goode could also travel over for the second test.

It's a very weak front row without Hartley, Youngs, and Cole

errlloyd

Is probables v possibles on TV tonight

twinytwo

I'm actually looking forward to the England nz games.

former legend

The "England XV" team to play the Barbarians on Sunday is a disgrace, they'd struggle even to call themselves a Saxons selection. It's a shame, because it's actually a reasonably strong BaaBaas team for once.

England XV: E Daly (Wasps), S Rokoduguni, J Joseph (both Bath), S Hill (Exeter), C Sharples (Gloucester), H Slade (Exeter), J Simpson (Wasps), R Harrison (Sale), R Buchanan, K Sinkler (both Harlequins), M Paterson (Sale), G Kitchener (capt), J Gibson (both Leicester), L Wallace (Harlequins), D Ewers (Exeter).

Replacements: T Taylor (Sale), F Balmain (Leicester), W Collier, C Matthews (both Harlequins), J Gaskell (Sale), D Robson (Gloucester), O Devoto (Bath), R Miller (Sale).

Barbarians: J M Hernandez (Racing Metro & Argentina), J Rokocoko (Bayonne & New Zealand), R Ranger (Montpellier & New Zealand), B Stanley (Clermont & New Zealand), H Gear (Toulouse & New Zealand), B James (Clermont & Australia), J Cowan (Gloucester & New Zealand), S Taumalolo (Perpignan & Tonga), T Paulo (Clermont & Samoa), D Kubriashvili (Stade Francais & Georgia), D O'Callaghan (Munster & Ireland), J Kruger (Racing Metro & South Africa), J M Leguizamon (Lyon & Argentina, capt), A Lapandry (Clermont & France), M Gorgodze (Montpellier & Georgia).

Replacements: A Hore (Maniototo & New Zealand), J Brugnaut (Racing Metro & France), N Lobo (Montpellier & Argentina), J Tekori (Toulouse & Samoa), R Wilson (Ulster & Ireland), T Cubelli (Belgrano & Argentina), F Trinh-Duc (Montpellier & France), A Tuitavake (Montpellier & New Zealand).

thomond2006

This annual England v Barbarians match is a bit of an overkill no?

Winters

Does anyone know the definitive reason for the scheduling issue with England in New Zealand? Ive read up on it but still cant understand how it came to pass.

CatFromHue

Winters wrote: »

Does anyone know the definitive reason for the scheduling issue with England in New Zealand? Ive read up on it but still cant understand how it came to pass.

---

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3556_9255363,00.html
RFU Chairman Bill Beaumont claims the IRB's refusal to move the Test centres on a disagreement regarding the start of the June window.

"We made a request to the IRB because they interpreted the weekend of May 31-June 1 as a June weekend, and we maintain it is a May weekend," Beaumont told The Rugby Paper.

"We've tried for some time now to get it changed, but to no avail."

An IRB spokesman hinted the RFU had failed to lodge their complaint in time to have the fixture list altered.

"When the Test schedule was agreed in 2010 the RFU was going through administrative changes. At that time they were asked to respond to the schedule, and that did not happen, so the schedule was drawn up as is," said the spokesman.

---

I don't really know what's happened though as the three test Australia Wales series starts on the same weekend.

I just looked at the last time we played a 3 test series down in NZ the Rabo final was on 27th May with our first test against NZ two weeks later on 9th June.

Swiwi.

Winters wrote: »

Does anyone know the definitive reason for the scheduling issue with England in New Zealand? Ive read up on it but still cant understand how it came to pass.

I dunno, but it's a crying shame. The last time a touring side won a test series in NZ from memory was 1994 (!), and a World XV won 2-0 in 1992 or 1993. England would have been in with a shout, but I struggle to see past 3-0, or possibly 2-1.

errlloyd

This Wales match only going to be on BBC Wales?

errlloyd

I'm almost certainly the only one watching this. But probables have scored Two tries in the first 6 mins.

19543261

errlloyd wrote: »

I'm almost certainly the only one watching this. But probables have scored Two tries in the first 6 mins.

Wait, what game is this

matthew8

19543261 wrote: »

Wait, what game is this

Probables vs. possibles for Welsh players who want a spot on the plane.

Podge_irl

Swiwi. wrote: »

I dunno, but it's a crying shame. The last time a touring side won a test series in NZ from memory was 1994 (!), and a World XV won 2-0 in 1992 or 1993. England would have been in with a shout, but I struggle to see past 3-0, or possibly 2-1.

France technically won the series in 2009 no? One game all but in the desire to present a trophy France won on aggregate. Ironically they won the test that their T14 finalists were rested for.

padders67

1st test would surely have been England's best chance to win one too - pity its turned out like this .

pickarooney

Anyone going to watch Eng v BaaBaas?

Kiwi_knock

Can't look past an English win.

matthew8

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

Can't look past an English win.

Have you seen the starting side? It's practically 4th choice.

thomond2006

The English team looks as thrown together as the Barbarians.

Swan Curry

Lots of players shooting out,not many making tackles.

The Pheasant2

Try England

The Pheasant2

Magnificent try for the Baabaas

thomond2006

Brilliant from Benson Stanley!

Kiwi_knock

Very nice try

matthew8

This is actually very entertaining. Great accuracy by James there.

ScrubsfanChris

That was superb!

Kiwi_knock

Another lovely try. Great game so far

ScrubsfanChris

Looks like Rokocoko caught the head of the England player with his shoulder...... ouch

pickarooney

Great game so far. Both sides playing gala rugby.