Botha now truly a Saxon
England Saxons coach Stuart Lancaster has named what he termed an ‘exciting combination’ for the Saxons’ opening Churchill Cup game against the United States at Northampton on Saturday.
There are only two survivors from the team that beat Canada 38-18 to claim the trophy in New Jersey last year, with scrumhalf Micky Young (Newcastle Falcons) in the starting line-up and fullback Alex Goode (Saracens) on the bench.
But Saxons head coach Stuart Lancaster said he has an exciting combination of youth and experience.
Saracens prop Matt Stevens (32 caps) is the most experienced of six senior internationals, while Henry Trinder (Gloucester Rugby) and Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs) made try-scoring first appearances for England in the non-cap game won 38-32 by the Barbarians last weekend.
South African-born lock Mouritz Botha makes his first Saxons appearance a week after winning the Premiership title with Saracens, while Challenge Cup winner Rory Clegg (Harlequins) steps up to start at flyhalf for the first time.
England Saxons captain Luke Narraway sits out the Churchill Cup’s opening game to receive treatment on a calf injury and Leicester Tigers No.8 Jordan Crane will lead the side in his place.
Lancaster said: “We want to make sure win this trophy again and to do so we’ve got to win some tough games starting off with the United States and Tonga, both of whom are gearing up for the World Cup later this year.
“But we’ve got a good mix of players including seven of those who did well against an experienced Barbarians side at Twickenham and there are more players who’ve joined us after taking part in big club games at the end of the domestic season.
“There’s lots at stake for all of them, whether they’re pushing for places in this World Cup this year or the next one in 2015, but the most important thing is to get off to a good start against what we’re expecting to be a very smart United States side on Saturday.”
After taking on the US, the England Saxons play against Tonga at Gloucester on June 12 followed by Italy A, Russia or Canada on the June 18 finals day at Worcester.
England Saxons: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Henry Trinder, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Rory Clegg, 9 Micky Young, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Tom Johnson, 6 James Gaskell, 5 Dave Attwood, 4 Mouritz Botha, 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Joe Gray, 1 Matt Mullan.
Replacements: 16 David Paice, 17 Kieran Brookes, 18 Graham Kitchener, 19 Jamie Gibson, 20 Paul Hodgson, 21 Alex Goode, 22 Charlie Sharples.
Date: Saturday, June 4
Venue: Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton
Kick-off: 17.00 (16.00 GMT)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
