Preview - Canada v England Saxons
Callard wields axe as Canada names two interesting debutants
England Sevens stats Richard Haughton and James Narraway have been pitched straight into the England Saxons side to play Canada in Toronto on Saturday.
Haughton, the Saracens wing, and Gloucester flank Narraway only crossed the Atlantic on Tuesday after helping England Sevens finish second in the overall 2005/06 IRB Sevens standings.
But they feature in a Saxons side with nine personnel changes and two positional switches from the team beaten 13-7 by Scotland 'A' last Saturday.
Saracens centre Ben Johnston captains the side while fly-half Dave Walder plus loose forwards David Seymour and Kai Horstmann also retain their places.
Chris Bell and Delon Armitage are switched to inside centre and fullback respectively, with Haughton and Andrew Higgins to start on the wings.
Sale scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth comes in for the rested Paul Hodgson.
"I am extremely excited about the backline," said head coach Jon Callard.
"There is a lot of pace there, especially the back three of Delon Armitage, Richard Haughton and Andrew Higgins and I am looking forward to seeing them play together."
Up front, Callard has named a new front five – Newcastle props Micky Ward and Robbie Morris plus London Irish trio of hooker David Paice and locks Nick Kennedy and Kieron Roche.
Narraway starts on the blind-side flank alongside Seymour and Horstmann, who both impressed against Scotland.
"The pack went well on Saturday but it's important that everybody has an opportunity on this tour," said Callard.
"We have to win this game but that can't distract from the fact that individuals must have the chance to play.
"This isn't just about the Saxons or the Barclays Churchill Cup – it's about preparing players for Andy Robinson and the next 18 months and if there is an opportunity to unearth some gems then we should use it."
Meanwhile, Canada coach Ric Suggitt hands debuts to Overmach Parma prop Mike Barbieri and Edinburgh Gunners fly-half Ander Monro.
Barbieri came up through the ranks of the Yeomen club in Toronto before going over to play professionally in Italy.
His brother, Rob, who once played for Canada at the Under-19 level before also heading to Parma and has been named on Italy's bench for Sunday's game against Japan in Tokyo.
If he gets nod from Azzurri coach Pierre Berbizier, two brothers will make their Test debuts for different countries on the same weekend.
Monro was once a member of the Scotland Sevens team – but never represent the country. His agent contacted Canada coach Ric Suggitt to inquire about any interest on Canada's part, and the offer has been taken up.
Monro will there earn a Canada cap despite the fact that his grandfather, Lord Monro of Langholm, who still sits in the House of Lords, is a Trustee and former President of the Scottish Rugby Union.
"My grandfather is very happy for me and it is a great honour for me to be chosen to play for the country of my birth," says Monro.
"I admit I haven't been to Canada much in my life, but I have a Canadian passport, and hopefully in the future I can spend more time here."
Suggitt said he was expecting a backlash from the English who will relinquish their Churchill Cup crown after the shock loss to the Scots.
"The England Saxons have a point to prove after losing to Scotland 'A' and we can't look back, other than to learn from our mistakes and not make them again, from our game against Scotland 'A'", said Suggitt.
"We have faith in this group of players, and know that they are capable of rising to the occasion on Saturday."
* 9/6/06: Bath winger Andrew Higgins has been ruled out of the England Saxons side for Saturday's Barclays Churchill Cup clash with Canada. Higgins suffered strained ligaments in his left foot during training and is replaced in the England side by club colleague Alex Crockett, with Wasps centre Ayoola Erinle promoted to the bench.
Canada: 15 Ed Fairhurst (University of Victoria), 14 Mike Pyke (Edinburgh Gunners, Scotland), 13 Nik Witkowski (Coventry, England), 12 David Spicer (University of Victoria), 11 Justin Mensah-Coker (Meraloma), 10 Ander Monro (Edinburgh Gunners, Scotland), 9 Morgan Williams (Stade Francais, France), 8 Sean-Micheal Stephen (Oakville Crusaders), 7 Adam Kleeberger (University of Victoria), 6 David Biddle (Meraloma), 5 Matt Phinney (Meraloma) 4 Luke Tait (Overmarch Parma, Italy), 3 Mike Pletch (Oakville Crusaders), 2 Aaron Abrams (Castaway-Wanderers), 1 Mike Barbieri (Overmarch Parma, Italy)
Replacements: 16 Pat Riordan (Burnaby Lake), 17 Dan Pletch (Oakville Crusaders), 18 Hubert Buydens (Saskatoon Wild Oats), 19 Oliver Atkinson (Velox Valhallians), 20 Aaron Carpenter (Brantford Harlequins), 21 Kris Witkowski (Castaway-Wanderers), 22 Craig Culpan (Meraloma).
England Saxons: 15 Delon Armitage (London Irish) 14 Richard Haughton (Saracens) 13 Ben Johnston (Saracens, captain), 12 Chris Bell (Leeds Tykes), 11 Alex Crockett (Bath), 10 Dave Walder (Newcastle Falcons), 9 Richard Wigglesworth (Sale Sharks), 8 Kai Horstmann (Worcester Warriors), 7 David Seymour (Saracens), 6 Luke Narraway (Gloucester), 5 Kieran Roche (London Irish), 4 Nick Kennedy (London Irish), 3 Robbie Morris (Newcastle Falcons), 2 David Paice (London Irish), 1 Micky Ward (Newcastle Falcons).
Replacements: 16 James Buckland (Leicester Tigers), 17 David Barnes (Bath), 18 James Hudson (Bath), 19 Ben Woods (Newcastle Falcons), 20 Clive Stuart-Smith (Llanelli Scarlets), 21 Sam Vesty (Leicester Tigers), 22 Ayoola Erinle (London Wasps).
Date: Saturday, June 10
Kick-off: 14:45 (18:45 GMT)
Venue: York Stadium, Toronto
Referee: Olan Trevor (Ireland)
Touch judges: Gary Wise (New Zealand), Kevin McCaslin (USA)
